The presentation was made by RPS Trustee, composer Colin Matthews, on stage at the Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Proms concert on Thursday 4 September 2014. Marin Alsop conducted the BBC Symphony Orchestra in works by John Adams and Mahler, and the concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Four.

In its full citation, the Council of the Royal Philharmonic Society says:

“Marin Alsop is an inspiring and distinguished artist who is also a role model for the 21st century musician. She is as widely recognised for her imaginative programming as for her deep commitment to education and to the development of audiences of all ages.

As a Music Director, a position she currently holds in Baltimore and Sao Paolo, her energy and precision produce thrilling music making. She is a generous collaborator who creates a palpable sense of enjoyment and teamwork from her musicians and a warm and direct connection with her audiences).

From the outset she has taken professional development into her own hands: learning from the inside how to lead, direct and administer by forming her own ensembles, most notably in 1984, Concordia - the Orchestra dedicated to exploring repertoire of all kinds which she directed for 18 years. Wherever she goes she strives for greater engagement in classical music. In 2002 she set up the ‘Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship’ through which she mentors, promotes and encourages young women conductors in the early stages of their careers; while in Baltimore she opens possibilities across the community from the ‘Rusty Musicians’ who get a chance to play with the Symphony, to OrchKids which offers more than 700 children from the city’s more deprived areas, instruments and after-school lessons.

All of her performances here in the UK bring a special sense of occasion and the Royal Philharmonic Society is proud to honour her this evening.”

Read the press release

4 September 2014