Royal Academy of Music honours leading artists

The Royal Academy of Music (RAM) has presented honours to established musicians, composers, educators and artists at its 2024 Graduation ceremony alongside over 300 graduating students. Percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and pianist Alfred Brendel received the Academy’s top honours, with Glennie receiving an honorary degree (Hon DMus) and Brendel conferred as RAM’s honorary vice-president.

Honorary RAM membership was awarded to composer Errollyn Wallen, baritone Roderick Williams singer, songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright and soprano Carolyn Sampson, who received the award following the release of her 100^th album. Former cellist and current chief executive and artistic director of Young Classical Artists Trust Alasdair Tait also receives an honorary membership alongside organist, researcher head of the Academy’s undergraduate programmes Anthony Gritten.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dame Evelyn Glennie said: ‘I’m extremely touched and grateful to receive this, especially as the Royal Academy of Music has played such a pivotal role in my development as a professional musician. I’m incredibly humbled to be standing here in the same room with so many of my fellow colleagues who I have the utmost respect and admiration for.’

The Academy also announced the appointments of two new fellows of the Royal Academy of Music (an honour reserved for alumni); set designer Es Devlin, who trained at Junior Academy, and Peter Holder, who was principal organist at both the Queen’s funeral and the Coronation. RAM registrar and director of student operations Catherine Jury also received an honorary fellowship alongside serving RAM governing body member and chief financial officer of property regeneration and investment firm Derwent London Damien Wisniewski.