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At least that’s what I think it should be called, but no one asked me.
The Queen has approved the award of a new medal, The Queen’s Medal for Music, the purpose of which is to “raise the general profile of music within the UK, and to reward individuals who have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation,” according to an announcement from Buckingham Palace.
Winners of this annual award may be of any nationality but they must have had a “major influence on the musical life of the UK.”
The decision on eligibility for the award will be made by a newly appointed Music Committee under the chairmanship of the Master of The Queen’s Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. The Committee members are Michael Berkeley, Nicholas Kenyon, William Lyne, the Honourable Sir Humphrey Maud, Richard Morrison and Lord Moser. I’m guessing they will not nominate the Sex Pistols, although the Beatles are likely not out of the question.
Sir Peter said, “I am very pleased to welcome the Queen’s Medal for Music, as a concrete symbol of the esteem which most of us feel musical life in Britain deserves.”
The winner will be announced on 22nd November, St Cecilia’s day (St Cecilia being the patron saint of music), which is also the birthday of Benjamin Britten. This is perhaps a clue as to the tenor of the award.
