The President's Visit 2012
Thursday 15 March 2012
On Wednesday 14 March, HRH The Prince of Wales visited the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, where in his role as President of the RCM, he presented special honours at the College’s annual awards ceremony.
His Royal Highness conferred Fellowship of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ (FRCM) upon six outstanding figures in international musical life: violinist Benedict Cruft, philanthropist Sir Vernon Ellis, soprano and RCM vocal professor Eiddwen Harrhy, baritone Simon Keenlyside (pictured), RCM Head of Vocal Studies Nicholas Sears and composer, songwriter and keyboard player Rick Wakeman.
Honorary Membership of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ (HonRCM) was presented to five individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to music and to the RCM: RCM Learning and Participation Manager Hayley Clements, Wigmore Hall Director John Gilhooly, RCM Strategic Planning Accountant Gary Purkiss, songwriter, lyricist and Orpheus Trust founder Richard Stilgoe, and RCM Registry Manager Eleanor Taylor.
His Royal Highness presented the Tagore Gold Medal to two students who graduated last year – baritone Samuel Evans and horn player Katherine Woolley – and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Rosebowl to composer Charlotte Harding, who composed two new fanfares for the occasion.
After the ceremony, His Royal Highness attended a short concert in which the Tagore medallists performed works by Beethoven and Bach. HRH also heard the RCM Chamber Choir perform a short work by Sir Hubert Parry, the second Director of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, who is one of His Royal Highness’s favourite composers.