London's Royal Academy of Music Announces New Chair of Historical Performance

The chair will be the only endowed position of its kind in the United Kingdom

London's Royal Academy of Music (RAM) has recently announced the creation of its new Becket Chair of Historical Performance.

The chair has been endowed following a generous gift from Sir Martin Smith and Lady Smith OBE, through their foundation — making it the first endowed chair of its kind in the United Kingdom. The gift is in memory of Lady Smith's mother, Elise Granbery Becket, who was a musician.

Lady Smith has longstanding links with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and worked alongside RAM Curator of Instruments David Rattray to establish the Becket Collection. The collection of period instruments was donated to RAM in 2012, and many of RAM's students benefit from playing these instruments.

"The creation of the Becket Chair of Historical Performance is a significant moment for the Academy and one that will resonate for years to come across the historical performance profession," said Professor Margaret Faultless, RAM's Head of Historical Performance.

"This Chair will enable the delights of period instrument playing, and inspired approaches to music-making, to be shared with even more students who will, in turn, take these experiences into the wider profession."

"The vision of Sir Martin and Lady Smith in securing the future of historically informed performance through the establishment of the Becket Chair is not only generous but reflects the ambition of the Academy to future-proof the skills, disciplines and artistry of period performance in its curriculum," said Professor Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, RAM's Principal.

"The Academy is truly grateful for this extraordinary gift from Martin and Elise."