College announces five RCO Medal honorands
The Royal College of Organists is to recognise the achievements of five distinguished musicians by awarding them 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.
In 2024 the RCO Medal is awarded to:
Prof. Graham Barber, in recognition of distinguished achievement in organ performance, pedagogy and scholarship;
Mr Dominic Gwynn, in recognition of distinguished achievement in organ building and scholarship, in particular with respect to UK organ heritage;
Ms Sofi Jeannin, in recognition of distinguished achievement in choral directing;
Dr Stephen Layton MBE, in recognition of distinguished achievement in choral directing; and
Dr David Ponsford, in recognition of distinguished achievement in organ performance and scholarship.
Prof. Barber, Mr Gwynn, Dr Layton and Dr Ponsford will be presented with their Medals at the RCO conferment ceremony in Southwark Cathedral on 9 March 2024. Ms Jeannin will be awarded her Medal at the 2025 ceremony.
RCO President David Hill said: “The 2024 honorands are both respected and celebrated in their respective fields. The RCO Medal acknowledges their many achievements, and we warmly congratulate them and thank them for their immense contribution to choral and organ music.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming them to our conferment ceremony, both this year and next, to present these RCO Medals along with the diplomas and certificates of the many College members who have been successful in their studies over the last 12 months.”