RNCM honours prominent names in music, broadcasting and regional development

BBC broadcaster and best-selling writer Stuart Maconie, award-winning composer/musician Anna Meredith, and renowned pianist Dame Imogen Cooper were among the exceptional individuals honoured at the RNCM’s 2024 Congregation of Awards.

Eight influential figures were named as Fellows (FRNCM) or Honorary Members (HonRNCM) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to music, broadcasting, education, and advocacy. 

Musician and composer Anna Meredith (Fellow) and broadcaster Stuart Maconie (Honorary Member) at the RNCM © Roscoe Rutter

Renowned opera singer Michael Chance CBE, foremost conductor in the Brass Band scene Professor Nicholas Childs (Black Dyke Band), Dame Imogen Cooper, and Anna Meredith MBE were appointed Fellows of the College. Leading figure in the redevelopment of Salford Quays (The Lowry, MediaCityUK) and former journalist Felicity Goodey CBE DL, 6 Music’s Stuart Maconie, and long-term supporters of the RNCM William and Frances Dobie Charitable Foundation and Neville Whitbread were named Honorary Members. 

The recipients were special guests at the annual ceremony, receiving their honours alongside 250 graduating students. They join a prestigious list of artists and dignitaries previously celebrated by the College, which includes YolanDa Brown OBE DL, The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, 10CC’s Graham Gouldman, Dr Pete Waterman OBE, Sir Stephen Hough, Dame Patricia Routledge, Sir Richard Leese, and co-founder of Manchester International Festival (MIF) Alex Poots. 

Professor Nicholas Childs (Fellow) at the RNCM © Roscoe Rutter

Speaking about his prestigious award, Stuart Maconie said: ‘As someone who comes here to see and hear a lot of music, and who regards the RNCM as a great Northern institution, this is combining two things I love. I am hugely honoured to be named an Honorary Member.’ 

Anna Meredith, who recently worked on a large-scale music project with students from the RNCM for MIF23, at Depot Mayfield, said she is excited to be among the 2025 honorands, adding: ‘I’m chuffed to be receiving this amazing Fellowship, especially given the incredible time I had working with the students last year. I look forward to being able to build on that creative experience and my relationship with the RNCM in the years to come.’ 

Principal of the RNCM, Professor Linda Merrick CBE, said: ‘We are delighted to honour these world-renowned musicians, broadcasters, educators, pioneers, and valued supporters of the RNCM at our 2024 Congregation of Awards. The exceptional recipients of our Fellowships and Honorary Memberships offer a wealth of experience that is an inspiration to us all, and we are hugely grateful for their unstinting support for the College and our students and graduates’. 

12 December 2024