RCO Medal awarded to distinguished musicians

The Royal College of Organists is to recognise the achievements of four distinguished musicians by awarding them its highest honour, the RCO Medal.

The recipients of the RCO Medal in 2018 are:

• Ms Catherine Ennis, in recognition of distinguished achievement in organ playing and in recognition of distinguished service to the College
• Mr Jean Guillou, in recognition of distinguished achievement in organ playing and composition
• Dr David Hill, in recognition of distinguished achievement in choral conducting and organ playing
• Mr Andrew Parrott, in recognition of distinguished achievement in choral conducting and scholarship (presentation deferred from March 2017)

The honorands will receive the RCO Medal at the College’s Conferment of Diplomas at Southwark Cathedral on Saturday 10th March 2018.

RCO President Martin Baker said: "This year’s honorands have enjoyed international acclaim in their respective fields for many years and it is an honour for the College to acknowledge their many achievements by awarding them The RCO Medal.

"Both organ performance and choral conducting, areas with which the College is inextricably linked, are represented in equal measure in this round of awards.

"I am delighted too that we can acknowledge the vast interdisciplinary endeavour that is music, by reflecting on the range of distinguished achievements for which our honorands are known. For instance, playing is allied to composition, playing and directing with the nurturing of young players and conductors, and performance with ground-breaking research.

"In Catherine Ennis, President of the College during the College’s highly successful 150th anniversary celebrations in 2013/2014, we also acknowledge distinguished service to the College.

"The Conferment Ceremony in March will offer a wonderful opportunity to celebrate such endeavours alongside the achievements of the College’s members who have been successful in recent diploma and certificate examinations."

Awarded for the first time in 2012, The Medal of the Royal College of Organists (‘The RCO Medal’) recognises distinguished achievement in one or more of the following areas relating to organ and choral music: performance, teaching, scholarship, composition, organ-building, conducting, administration, and philanthropy; it is also available to recognise specific service to the College.