College to present RCO Medal to Masaaki Suzuki

The Royal College of Organists is to recognise the achievements of Prof. Masaaki Suzuki by awarding him its highest honour, the RCO Medal.

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.

Prof. Masaaki Suzuki has been awarded the RCO Medal in recognition of his distinguished achievement in choral conducting and organ and harpsichord playing. He is the founding director of the highly acclaimed Bach Collegium Japan, and a world-renowned conductor and scholar.

The presentation of the Medal will happen in conjunction with a Royal Academy of Music organ masterclass at St Marylebone Parish Church, London, on 24 January at 18.00. RCO members are invited to attend the masterclass and presentation, with tickets available at tickets.ram.ac.uk/sales/categories/masterclasses/masterclass-masaaki-suzuki

RCO President David Hill said: “It is an honour for the College to be able to present Prof. Suzuki with the RCO Medal in celebration of all that he achieved across so many fields of endeavour.

“We look forward to this occasion, and are most grateful to the Principal and staff of the Royal Academy of Music for their kind hospitality and support in making this possible.”

Prof. Suzuki will also be conducting several cantatas in the first of the Academy's 2023 Bach series on Sunday 29 January.