Royal Academy of Music Announces 2024 Honorees

Dame Evelyn Glennie, Alfred Brendel, Rufus Wainwright, Errollyn Wallen, Roderick Williams, and Carolyn Sampson were among the honorees

Thirteen outstanding musicians received some of the highest honors awarded by London's Royal Academy of Music (RAM) at its 2024 graduation ceremony on July 5.

The top honorees were the percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, who received an honorary DMus degree in recognition of her career as a soloist, and the luminary pianist Alfred Brendel, who was conferred as RAM's Honorary Vice-President.

Honorary Memberships were granted to singer, songwriter, and composer Rufus Wainwright, the multi-award winning composer Errollyn Wallen, and the celebrated opera and concert soprano Carolyn Sampson. Wallen is one of the world's most performed living composers, while Sampson has recently celebrated the release of her 100th album.

The baritone and composer/arranger Roderick Williams, who recently performed at the Coronation, was also made an Honorary Member. He was joined by Chief Executive/Artistic Director of Young Classical Artists Trust Alasdair Tait, and the Academy’s Head of Undergraduate Programmes Anthony Gritten.

Set designer Es Devlin and Peter Holder, who was the Principal Organist at the Queen’s funeral and the Coronation, both became Fellows, while Honorary Fellowships went to Registrar and Director of Student Operations Catherine Jury and Damien Wisniewski, Chief Financial Officer of Derwent and serving Governing Body Member.

"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," said Dame Evelyn Glennie at the ceremony. "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."