This year, the Honorary Doctorate (Hon DMus) was presented to pioneering musician, producer and visual artist Brian Eno, who first came to international prominence as a founding member of British band Roxy Music. 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.
The Academy welcomed six new Fellows of the Royal Academy of Music (FRAM), an honour reserved for individuals who studied at the institution. These included Classical-Soul pioneer Alexis Ffrench, who is also a member of the Academy's Governing Body; 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; Louisa Tuck, Principal Cello of the Oslo Philharmonic; and pianist, organist, composer and arranger Iain Farrington. An Honorary Fellowship (Hon FRAM) was presented to 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.
Also awarded as part of the ceremony was Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music (Hon RAM), an honour which is limited to 300 outstanding musicians who did not attend the Academy. The Hon RAM recipients this year were leading jazz musician, composer and educator Dr Gary Crosby and soprano Pretty Yende, who has quickly become a superstar of the opera world.
In a speech to the graduating students, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood said:
'Together, we must keep evolving, and breaking down outlooks and habits in the profession that can hold back our desire for positive challenge, change and creative risk. I can stand here and say it, but your generation can do it – and looking at our recent alumni, they already are. Change requires courage but it also brings vast new opportunities and the excitement of discovering how to do more and more things in your own identity. That’s what I see as real success.'
In a speech addressing the graduates on behalf of the honorands, Alexis Ffrench said:
'The music you carry within you is your best advocate. It doesn't need credentials, it needs courage, and the power to move someone with a sound that only you can make. That is a kind of superpower. It opens doors, it builds bridges, it heals, provokes, rebuilds and transforms. So bring who you are fully, freely and fearlessly – even the parts that you haven't quite figured out yet. Because when you do, the world doesn't just hear you, it feels you.'
Academy musicians permeate all areas of the music profession and lead the way in concert halls, opera houses and theatres across the globe. Recent alumni include Rob Madge, Freya Waley-Cohen, Emma Rawicz and Freddie De Tommaso. The Academy is proud of its network of alumni and the significant contribution they make to the music profession and beyond.
The Academy would like to congratulate all of this year's honorands and graduating students.
Images © Frances Marshall