Honorary Awards 2008

Leading church musicians honoured by RSCM, here and over there….

Two chief conductors of the BBC singers, a well-known songwriter, a choral composer and a cathedral director of music are among the leading church musicians to receive honorary awards in 2008 from the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in Britain, as well as one of the most important liturgists of our time. To mark the RSCM’s 80th anniversary, the list is being extended to include leading figures in church music and scholarship in the United States.

‘The RSCM is extremely fortunate to have so many first class musicians and liturgists supporting its work. The 80th anniversary awards demonstrate these individuals' contribution to our work at both national and international levels’ said Mark Williams, chairman of the RSCM Council.

The outgoing director of the RSCM, John Harper, commented: ‘The RSCM is recognising the leaders in the fields of music, liturgy and scholarship; it is also honouring those whose work in local churches sustains music in worship week by week, and those who give of their time and talent as volunteers to take forward the mission of the RSCM throughout the world.’

Presentation of awards will be made at Celebration Day in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 17th May 2008, and in the USA on 2nd February 2008 in Washington National Cathedral.

Fellows of the RSCM: Paul Bradshaw, Stephen Cleobury, Llywela Harris, David Hill, Bill Ives, Graham Kendrick, James Lancelot, Ian Tracey
Associates of the RSCM: Ronald Gill (South Africa), Nigel Groome, Peter Moger, Michael O’Connor (Canada), Louise Reid, Fridrik Walker
Honorary RSCM: Michael Turvey

To mark the 80th anniversary of the RSCM, special emphasis is being placed on church music and the work of the RSCM in the USA.

Fellows of the RSCM: Joseph Dyer, Robin Leaver, Bruce Neswick
Associate of the RSCM: Tom Whittemore
Honorary RSCM: Cynthia Hawkins (Canada), Enid Oberholtzer

Further details of individuals receiving awards follow below.

Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music (FRSCM)
Awarded for contributions to Church Music and/or liturgy at an international level, or for an outstanding contribution to the RSCM:

Paul Bradshaw
As a leading Anglican liturgist, Professor Paul Bradshaw has influenced much of our understanding of the liturgy of the early church. This is borne out in his work for the Church of England’s Liturgical Commission and as a professor of Notre Dame University.

Stephen Cleobury
Dr Stephen Cleobury has been Director of Music at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge for over 25 years. He has also served as a member of the RSCM Council and contributed considerably to the work of the RSCM.

Llywela Harris
Llywela Harris was an outstanding choir director over many years at Abbots Bromley School in Staffordshire, before becoming Warden of the RSCM. She retired to Pembrokeshire where she became a key figure in the development of the St Davids Cathedral Festival.

David Hill
Dr David Hill is a dynamic choral conductor, and has directed the choirs of Westminster and Winchester Cathedrals, St John’s College Cambridge, the Bach Choir and now the BBC singers. He has also done much for the RSCM as a director of events and summer schools all over the world.

Bill Ives
Bill Ives is a composer of high standing in church circles, and his works are widely performed. He has done significant work for the RSCM, including a commission for the 75th anniversary. His work as a choral director is also highly regarded, and the recent Gibbons recording made by Magdalen College Choir under his direction was nominated for a Grammy award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in the USA.

Graham Kendrick
Graham Kendrick has been one of the transformative songwriters in British evangelical circles; few churchgoers have not encountered songs such as The Servant King or Shine, Jesus, shine. His work well merits recognition by the RSCM.

James Lancelot
Canon James Lancelot has been organist of Durham Cathedral for over 20 years. He is one of the most committed of directors of music, including much supportive work for the RSCM in the north. He is the only English cathedral organist to have been appointed a lay canon of his cathedral.

Ian Tracey
Professor Dr Ian Tracey work is a solo organist and choral director. He has held the post of Organist and Master of the Choristers at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for over 25 years, and has recently been appointed "Organist Titulaire".

Associate of the Royal School of Church Music (ARSCM)
Awarded for a contribution to church music and/or liturgy at national level, or for a special contribution to the RSCM.

Ronald Gill
Ronald Gill was until last year the chair of the most active branch of RSCM South Africa, based in Johannesburg. He is also director of music at one of the leading schools in the city.

Nigel Groome
Nigel Groome has directed the music at Beckenham Parish Church for over 20 years, achieving professional standards with volunteer singers. He has also served the RSCM for many years in a variety of roles; he is currently the Regional Coordinator in south-east England.

Peter Moger
Peter Moger is a composer as well as a liturgist. He is a member of the RSCM Sunday by Sunday team, and has done much to facilitate collaboration between the Church of England and the RSCM as the Cof E’s National Worship Development Officer. He is a tutor for the Sacred Music Studies course.

Michael O'Connor
Michael O’Connor’s made a significant contribution to the RSCM as a Warden. He was responsible with John Harper for establishing the Sacred Music Studies programme, and oversaw the reshaping of the RSCM’s Voice for Life scheme. Since his move to Canada he has advised RSCM America and assisted in the establishment of RSCM Canada.

Louise Reid
Louise Reid is a former director of the girls’ division of the RSCM Cathedral Singers. She has been director of the girls’ choir at Wakefield Cathedral, and now set up the new girls’ choir of Ely Cathedral. She is one of few very talented women working as a choral director in church music.

Fridrik Walker
Some of the freshest and most imaginative Sunday worship has been broadcast from St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow. Much of this is due to the approach taken by Frikki Walker in directing a volunteer mixed-voice cathedral choir. He has produced a distinctive Scottish tradition, which is not hide-bound by Anglican convention.

Honorary Member of the Royal School of Church Music (HonRSCM)
Honorary Membership of the RSCM is awarded for work in church music or the RSCM which is distinguished, but not primarily musical or liturgical.

Michael Turvey
Michael Turvey’s work for the RSCM in London has been highly regarded. He was formerly chair of the North London district, and this has formed the nucleus of the new London Area committee of which he is now chair. He is also organist and choirmaster in Pinner, Middlesex.

RSCM Certificate of Special Service
On the recommendation of their Area Committee, the RSCM Council has awarded Certificates of Special Service to the following for significant work in church music. The nominating area committee is given; certificates will be presented at an RSCM local or regional festival.

Peter Miller - RSCM Liverpool Area
Barry Eaden - RSCM Ely Area
David Gabe - RSCM Devon Area
W. E. Johnson - RSCM Wakefield Area
Geoffrey Lockwood - RSCM Wakefield Area
Edgar Merrey - RSCM Derby Area
Karen Phillips - RSCM Oxford Area
Clifford Rose - RSCM Swansea & Brecon Area
Dr Norman Rose - RSCM Swansea & Brecon Area
Deirdre Russell - RSCM Western Australian Branch

Special 80th anniversary awards in North America

The RSCM’s 80th anniversary focuses on the organisation’s work in North America – notably through the publication by the RSCM of Psallam, a resource book containing a large amount of music from that continent. Psallam will be used at the RSCM Festival Service in Washington National Cathedral on 2nd February 2008 when honorary awards will also be presented. The Council of the RSCM is pleased to announce the following recipients of honorary awards:

Fellows of the Royal School of Church Music (FRSCM)
Awarded for contributions to Church Music and/or liturgy at an international level, or for an outstanding contribution to the RSCM.

Dr Joseph Dyer
Joseph Dyer is a profoundly knowledgeable plainsong scholar. He taught music history at the University of Massachusetts Boston until his retirement in 2001.  His research interests have included Old Roman chant, liturgy (especially Rome in the Middle Ages), monasticism, performance practice, and medieval music theory.  He has held positions as organist and music director for a number of congregations (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Congregational) since the 1950s.

Dr Robin Leaver
The Rev Dr Robin Leaver is professor of Sacred Music at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, New Jersey. He is one of the most distinguished theological scholars of sacred music of his generation, and is particularly respected for his work on JS Bach. This award also celebrates the new working partnership between RSCM and Westminster Choir College.

Bruce Neswick
Bruce Neswick is both an organist of great prowess as well as an outstanding choir director. Before moving to his present post at Atlanta Cathedral, he led important development work with the Girls’ Choir at the Washington National Cathedral, including several recordings.

Associate of the Royal School of Church Music (ARSCM)
Awarded for a contribution to church music and/or liturgy at national level, or for a special contribution to the RSCM.

Tom Whittemore
Tom Whittemore is director of music at Trinity Church, Princeton, after a long period in Philadelphia. This is a church with a distinguished tradition – and he follows in the wake of Jim Litton FRSCM and John Bertalot FRSCM. He has also undertaken extensive work for the RSCM as a course manager and course director over many years.

Honorary Members of the Royal School of Church Music (HonRSCM)
Honorary Membership of the RSCM is awarded for work in church music or the RSCM which is distinguished, but not primarily musical or liturgical.

Cynthia Hawkins
Cynthia Hawkins has been manager of the RSCM Montreal course for 15 years. As a professional arts administrator she has worked exceptionally hard over the years to attract leading British and American cathedral musicians to direct this course for boys. The post is voluntary and involves much work and responsibility.

Enid Oberholtzer
Enid Oberholtzer has been a course manager, chair of the training courses committee, and continues as a member of the RSCM America board. She has drawn up the new code for child protection in RSCM America training courses and events, and she works actively as the link between RSCM America and the central administration and council of the RSCM in the UK.

RSCM Certificate of Special Service
Awarded for significant work in Church Music, or for the RSCM at local level:

Stephen Lott
Stephen Lott has recently retired as Head Verger at Washington National Cathedral. His contribution there went far beyond the normal duties of a verger, and was often known to read the lessons or lead the prayers at choral services at the National Cathedral. A former chorister, he has been very supportive of the choral foundation at the cathedral, and most welcoming to the RSCM since it first started to hold courses at the cathedral in 2001.

ENDS
14 December 2007

Notes for Editors:
The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is an educational charity and promotes the best use of music in worship, church life, and the wider community. The RSCM also publishes music and training resources, and organises courses, short workshops and activities. With over 8,500 affiliates, members and friends in over 40 countries it is an international network, supported by over 750 volunteers and small team of staff based throughout the UK.

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