Page 17 - Church Music Quarterly March 2018

RSCM
NEWS
HONORARY AWARDS
Each year the RSCM Council confers Honorary Awards on those who have made outstanding contributions to church music. These will be presented at Celebration Day on 8 September 2018 in Salisbury Cathedral.
FELLOWS OF THE RSCM (FRSCM)
Awarded for achievements in church music and/or liturgy of international significance, or for exceptional musical and/or liturgical work within the RSCM:
Dale Adelmann has made important contributions to both the understanding and the practice of church music. Through his scholarship, he has helped us to understand the significance of the Ecclesiologists in shaping the course of 19th-century English church music; and he has made an outstanding practical contribution to church music today – promoting the cause of Anglican music in the United States, not least as
Canon Musician at the Cathedral of St Philip, Atlanta.
The Right Honourable Lord Brian Gill
has served the RSCM as Chair of Council since July 2010. His period of leadership has seen significant changes at the RSCM, including the recruitment
of a new management team, the introduction of structured ministerial training for both ordained and lay church leaders, and a systemic overhaul of RSCM’s governance. His own evident loyalty to the Christian agenda of the RSCM has enabled staff and volunteers to focus their efforts on the core work of supporting music within worship, and encouraged them to strive always for the best as part of the offering of their own gifts. Brian has given freely from his wealth of experience as a judge and legal expert, as well as leading the
RSCM with the enthusiasm born of being a keen amateur organist and singer.
Throughout a lifetime’s commitment
to church music, Michael Nicholas has consistently commissioned, directed and promoted new church music. At Norwich Cathedral he pioneered an annual
festival of contemporary church music, demonstrating what was possible within the limited rehearsal time of a choir singing services daily. He served as Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists at a time of change and development, and also contributed to the academic work
of the Guild of Church Musicians.
Religious broadcasting on BBC Radio disseminates live worship and church music nationally and worldwide – especially to those who do not or cannot attend church: the Daily Service, Sunday Worship, Choral Evensong. Protecting, enabling and guiding so much of this broadcast output over past decades
with wisdom and passion has been Stephen Shipley, himself an accomplished broadcaster and liturgist.
No one can fail to be moved by the profundity of the words and music
of Stuart Townend’s ‘How deep the Father’s love for us’ or (with Keith Getty) ‘In Christ alone’. The quality of his songs and hymns greatly enriches worship in church but they are also a crucial part of the Church’s wider mission and evangelism in bringing people to faith who might otherwise not cross the threshold. He is one of the leading lights of music for worship as writer, composer and performer.
Peter Toyne has brought the experience and skills of a university vice-chancellor to the service of the Church, and especially to church music – in his home
Diocese of Liverpool, in the Archbishops’ Council, and especially during his influential term as Chairman of the Friends of Cathedral Music. The Friends of Cathedral Music not only champions the cause of choral foundations, but does much to sustain that work through grants, especially at times of special need.
John Wardle was appointed RSCM Regional Director for the South in 1992, later becoming Music Advisor in the South. He directed and developed RSCM Cathedral Singers and directed cathedral and Easter courses for young people.
He worked with RSCM Area Committees on outreach, and influenced hundreds of musicians through visits to many churches. He has made an outstanding contribution to the development of
the RSCM not least in his meticulous work with Awards Examinations.
It is a privilege for the Council of the RSCM to honour the contribution of Judith Weir, Master of the Queen’s Music, as one of the leading British composers
of our time, and as a composer of choral music – not least for the church. Over her whole career she has written a body of sacred music that challenges and inspires both singers and hearers alike.
ASSOCIATES OF THE RSCM (ARSCM)
Awarded for achievements in church music and/or liturgy of national significance, or for important musical and/or liturgical work within the RSCM:
Paul Edwards’ varied work in the
field of church music has been without fanfare, dedicated, intensive and consistent across many decades. He
has served church music extensively
as a singer, organist and choir director, editor and composer. His work includes editing 18th-century organ music,
RSCM NEWS 17