Pioneering musician, producer and visual artist Brian Eno will receive an honorary degree (Hon DMus). He first came to international prominence as a founding member of British band Roxy Music, followed by a series of solo albums and collaborations. Beyond his own music, his work as a producer is legendary, including albums with Talking Heads, U2 and Coldplay, while his long list of collaborations includes recordings with David Bowie, Grace Jones and recently with Fred Again. His musical contributions can be heard in film and TV scores, such as Top Boy and The Lovely Bones, and even when turning on a computer through the Windows 95 theme. Ever-innovating, he has created new systems to aid the creation of music and art. He established ‘generative music’ and his famous Oblique Strategies cards, which have paved the way for artists to continue to break creative boundaries. In 2024, Eno, a generative film about his life premiered worldwide to critical acclaim, and more recently he has written his second book, What Art Does, co-authored with Bette A. and based upon his experience as an artist.
The Academy will welcome six new Fellows of the Royal Academy of Music, an honour reserved for alumni. Representing stage and screen, internationally recognized operatic soprano Mary Bevan is joined by actor and singer Fra Fee, whose work has permeated across the West End, Broadway as well as television and cinema. Instrumentalists being recognised this year include pianist Anna Tilbrook, who has a considerable reputation in song recitals and chamber music; lutenist and producer Matthew Wadsworth, who has achieved critical acclaim for his recordings and performances at a range of prestigious venues and Louisa Tuck, who is Principal Cello of the Oslo Philharmonic and renowned soloist. Iain Farrington, who has enjoyed a diverse career as a pianist, organist, composer and arranger completes the list.
Leading names from an array of musical genres will be awarded Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music, an honour which is limited to 300 outstanding musicians, who did not attend the Academy. This year’s list of luminaries includes Grammy-winning pianist Emanuel Ax, Principal Timpanist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Academy professor Simon Carrington, celebrated composer Unsuk Chin, leading jazz artist Dr Gary Crosby, star sopranos Lise Davidsen and Pretty Yende, Musical Theatre Director and longstanding, influential musical-theatre teacher George Hall, virtuoso pianist and composer Marc-André Hamelin, multi-faceted violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and conductor Nathalie Stutzmann, whose 2023 Met Opera debut was described by the New York Times as ‘the coup of the year’.
William de Winton, who has been a member of the Academy’s Governing Body since 2016 and has spearheaded several schemes to widen access to excellent musical training, becomes an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music.
Principal of the Academy, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE, said:
'The Academy’s fellows and honorary members remind us that the continuum of excellence and inspiration is what allows our wonderful art form to flourish – and in every part of society. The wide range of disciplines recognised in this year’s honours reflects the Academy’s determination that its third century witnesses ever-expanding paths of musical endeavour.
'I am thrilled that Brian Eno will be conferred as our Honorary Doctor of Music for 2025. It is impossible to pay tribute to the full breadth of creativity and innovation which encapsulates his contribution to the world of music, and far beyond'.
Brian Eno commented:
'Art is important and valuable. Institutions like this enrich lives and stimulate imaginations, and the art they foster does the same.’