Two DJs, few musicians in 2025 New Years honours list
NewsA pair of hit-spinners* on Classic FM are the standout names in the King’s bleak New Year’s List.
Others honoured include the organist Michael Harris, Master of the Music at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, and Caroline Lusher, founder of the Rock Choir (both MBE) and the saxophonist and composer John Harle (OBE).
UPDATE: Dr Harry Brunjes, outgoing chair of ailing English National Opera, received a CBE.
*Myleene Klass (pic) and Alan Titchmarsh
Appalling list. Saw that there was a Scottish Fanfare trumpeter and the president of the wind band association too but these are slim pickings when there are a gazillion sportsmen and women and loads of famous actors. This from a King and a government who are meant to be our supporters. We desperately need extra things to make up for the chronically bad working conditions UK musos put up with. Terrible.
I think one of the problems is the lack of people putting forward cases for potential awards, rather than nominees being rejected. Plus usually, we never know if anyone’s been nominated and declined an award. It needs more nominators who have detailed knowledge of what potential nominees have achieved to make those nominations so it’s up to the music world to start nominating. I don’t know enough about him but to me, Dr Andrew Lumsden would have been an obvious recipient. Perhaps those who can put forward a good case are awaiting any outcome of the fallout in Winchester before doing so. There’s also a suspicion that in some sectors there are those who lobby for an award… Myleene Klass’s nomination was not for contributions to music.
I’m an American, so I really don’t have a dog in this fight, however, the annual list has become a joke. It’s flavor of the month and who knows someone in the latest iteration of the British government. One would think it would be best slimmed down and only awarded to people who have really achieved something to make Britain proud. The annual list of aging rock stars, some of infamy and dubious character, the latest tv and film actors and actresses who are paid plenty for their performances, the politicians who crave the limelight jumping in front of news cameras etc. etc. seems standard fare. It should be reimagined to be confined to selfless people whose actions shine a bright light on Britain and or have lived impeccable lives doing something of real importance for the country. The way they are currently dispensed, it cheapens the award.
Special congratulations to Michael Harris on his well deserved MBE. Michael retires today after 28 years as organist and choirmaster in St Giles. He built up an expert mixed voice choir, The St Giles Singers, which, unless it was on tour, sang at every Sunday service. Its repertoire included much UK and contemporary music and redefined inclusively what was suitable music for a presbyterian church. He made St Giles a very welcoming performance space for visiting choirs and instrumentalists for the renowned St Giles at Six concerts and more recently for weekday lunchtime concerts in the summer. He was always kind, supportive, and a delight to work with.
Having had the pleasure of playing concerts as an accompanist & soloist on St. Giles Cathedral’s magnificat organ, I agree 100% with every word of DH’s comments. Michael is a superb musician and the most welcoming & genial host to visiting performers.
Is Alan Titchmarsh a “hit-spinner on Classic FM?” I thought he was a gardening expert. Given the CBE for services to horticulture and charity.