ABO/Classical Music Awards now open for nominations!

Florence Lockheart
Monday, October 3, 2022

The 2023 ABO/Classical Music Awards are open for nominations

We are delighted to announce that the 2023 ABO/Classical Music Awards are now open for nominations.

The ABO/Classical Music Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of colleagues across the UK's orchestras, concert halls and artist management, despite continued challenges including the impact of Covid and of Brexit.

Nominations will close on 5pm on Friday 2 December 2022, with award winners announced at the 2022 ABO Conference, which will run from 1-3 February 2023.

Criteria for nominations are as follows:

ARTIST MANAGER OF THE YEAR

For the artist manager who the classical music industry – including orchestras, concert halls, promoters and artist managers – believes has displayed within the previous concert season (September 2021 to August 2022) notable artistic imagination and creativity beyond the booking of engagements for individual artists, made a special contribution in the field of orchestral touring in the UK or abroad, has a long-term record of distinction in the artist management business, demonstrated outstanding ability in the field of promoting younger artists, made a particular contribution to international relations within the profession, or is the best emerging artist manager of the year.

CONCERT HALL MANAGER OF THE YEAR

For the CEO or other senior manager who has taken their organisation forward through inspirational leadership within the previous concert season (September 2021 to August 2022). The individual may, among other qualities, have shown evidence of imaginative programming, taken an organisation in new directions, excelled in problem solving or have negotiated a way through the difficult funding climate.

Individuals eligible for this award will be in a senior management position within a member of the British Association of Concert Halls.

ORCHESTRA MANAGER OF THE YEAR

For the CEO or other senior manager who has taken their orchestra or organisation forward through inspirational leadership within the previous concert season (September 2021 to August 2022). The individual may, among other qualities, have shown evidence of imaginative programming, taken their organisation in new directions, excelled in problem-solving or have negotiated a way through the difficult funding climate.

Individuals eligible for this award will be in a senior management position within a Full or Associate Member of the Association of British Orchestras.

Nominations are invited via the following online forms:

Deadline: 2 December 2022

Previous winners

ARTIST MANAGER OF THE YEAR

  • 2022 · Atholl Swainston-Harrison, IAMA
  • 2021 · Moema Parrott, HarrisonParrott France & Polyarts
  • 2020 · Helen Sykes, Helen Sykes Artists’ Management
  • 2019 · Angela Sulivan, Sulivan Sweetland Ltd
  • 2018 · Bettina Mehne, Bernhard Kerres, Hello Stage
  • 2017 · Kathryn Enticott, Enticott Music Management
  • 2016 · Alasdair Tait, Young Classical Artists Trust
  • 2015 · Jasper Parrott, HarrisonParrott
  • 2014 · Cornelia Schmid, Konzertdirection Schmid
  • 2013 · James Brown, Hazard Chase
  • 2012 · Stephen Lumsden, Intermusica

CONCERT HALL MANAGER OF THE YEAR

  • 2022 · Roger Wright, Britten Pears Arts
    • Special Commendation to Matthew Sims, Leeds Town Hall
  • 2021 · John Gilhooly OBE, Wigmore Hall
  • 2020 · Helen Wallace, Kings Place
  • 2019 · Suzanne Rolt, St George’s Brandon Hill
  • 2018 · Richard Heason, St John’s Smith Square
  • 2017 · Neil Bennison, Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
  • 2016 · Angela Dixon, Saffron Hall
  • 2015 · Michael Eakin, Liverpool Philharmonic
  • 2014 · Jude Kelly OBE and Gillian Moore MBE, Southbank Centre
  • 2013 · Kevin Appleby, Turner Sims Concert Hall
  • 2012 · Paul Keene, Town Hall & Symphony Hall Birmingham

ORCHESTRA MANAGER OF THE YEAR

  • 2022 · Julia Desbruslais, London Mozart Players
  • 2021 · Crispin Woodhead, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
    • Special Commendation to Greg Felton, London Philharmonic Orchestra
  • 2020 · Peter Garden, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
  • 2019 · David Wilson, London Mozart Players
  • 2018 · Sue Mallet, London Symphony Orchestra
  • 2017 · Bob Riley, Manchester Camerata
  • 2016 · Sarah Alexander, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain
  • 2015 · John Harte, Aurora Orchestra
  • 2014 · Gijs Elsen, The English Concert
  • 2013 · David Butcher, Britten Sinfonia
  • 2012 · Sophie Lewis, Sinfonia Cymru