John Gilhooly, the Artistic and Executive Director of London's Wigmore Hall, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2022 New Year Honours.
Gilhooly was appointed to the role aged just 32; at that time, he was the youngest director at any of the world's major concert halls. He was awarded an OBE in 2013.
Hailing originally from Limerick in Ireland, Gilhooly initially studied history and politics at University College Dublin and trained as a tenor under Veronica Dunne.
Gilhooly is also Chairman of the Royal Philharmonic Society, a membership society that provides grants, commissions, and performance opportunities for young performers and composers.
"I am delighted that John has been recognised for his contribution to the culture life of this country, particularly his display of leadership, resilience and resourcefulness in bringing music to the nation under tremendously challenging circumstances over the past two years," said Aubrey Adams OBE, the Chairman of the Wigmore Hall Trust. "The honour is also a testament to his great voluntary work outside his role at Wigmore Hall in helping many charities and organisations."
"As Artistic and Executive Director of the prestigious Wigmore Hall for the past 16 years, John Gilhooly has made an immense contribution to the celebration, promotion and development of classical music," added Adrian O'Neill, the Irish Ambassador in the United Kingdom.
"This honour conferred on him by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is an apt and richly deserved recognition of that distinguished record of service, which has benefitted singers, musicians and music lovers across these islands and for which I warmly congratulate John," he said.
