Royal College of Organists honours choral leaders

Distinguished practitioners and scholars from the fields of choral and organ music were presented with the Medal of the Royal College of Organists (RCO) at ceremonies at Southwark Cathedral in London on 12 March 2022.

The RCO Medal for 2021 was awarded to Professor Jon Laukvik, in recognition of distinguished achievement as an organist, pedagogue, scholar and composer, Gareth Malone OBE, in recognition of distinguished achievement as a choral conductor and animateur, and Professor Francis Pott in recognition of distinguished achievement in organ and choral composition.

The recipients of the 2022 Medals were Dr Kevin Bowyer, in recognition of distinguished achievement in organ performance and scholarship, Professor Kimberly Marshall, in recognition of distinguished achievement in organ performance and scholarship, Margaret Phillips, in recognition of distinguished achievement in organ performance and pedagogy and Professor Kerala J. Snyder, in recognition of distinguished achievement in scholarship relating to organ and church music.

The RCO Chairman of Trustees Lord Lisvane also presented diplomas and certificates to College members who completed accreditation across two College years, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022.

Each ceremony featured a recital by Tom Winpenny, Assistant Master of Music at St Albans Cathedral, who played music by Pott, Laukvik, Bach, Buxtehude, Franck, Mendelssohn and Demessieux.

The Royal College of Organists is a leading professional body and educational charity dedicated to the promotion and advancement of organ playing and choral directing. As well as having more than 2,000 members based in 40 countries around the world, it is the only organisation in the UK with a Royal Charter to be dedicated to the promotion and advancement of a single instrument.