Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason wins ISM Distinguished Musician Award
Florence Lockheart
Monday, June 12, 2023
The author, lecturer and music inclusion advocate received the award in recognition of the outstanding contribution she has made to musical life in the UK
The Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) has announced author, lecturer and music inclusion advocate Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason as the winner of its Distinguished Musician Award. The mother of the seven Kanneh-Mason siblings, all classical musicians, Kanneh-Mason was revealed as the recipient of this year’s award in recognition of the outstanding contribution she has made to musical life in the UK.
The award was presented to Kanneh-Mason by newly appointed ISM President Pauline Black on 8 June at the BFI in the heart of London’s Southbank. In accepting her award Kanneh-Mason joins a legacy of recipients including violinist Nicola Benedetti CBE, mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly, cellist Jacqueline du Pré OBE, composers Errollyn Wallen CBE and Sir Michael Tippett, and conductors Sir David Willcocks and Sir Charles Groves.
Presenting the award, Black said: ‘We give very careful consideration to this award each year, and Kadiatu’s enormous impact on championing music education, support for music and raising awareness of diversity and accessibility issues in classical music made her the outstanding option. And of course, her role in bringing the wonderful music of the Kanneh-Mason family to the world is truly inspirational.’
Established by the ISM in 1976, the Distinguished Musician Award is given by the ISM Council, the governing body of the ISM, which is entirely made up of ISM members from across the UK. Kanneh-Mason adds this latest award to previous accolades including the 2021 Royal Philharmonic Society’s Storytelling Award for her memoir, House of Music: Raising the Kanneh-Masons, a Lifetime Award for Contribution to Children’s Arts awarded to herself and her husband Stuart at the 2018 J.M. Barrie Awards and the prestigious ABO Award accepted in 2022.
Receiving the award, Kanneh-Mason said: ‘I have always believed that music is a fundamental right for all children, and I will continue to be an advocate for inclusion in music education. For my family, music is a great source of self-expression and joy, and it is very special for me to receive this award from ISM.’
