THE IVORS ACADEMY WELCOME

THE IVORS ACADEMY WELCOME - TOM GRAY

It’s my great pleasure to welcome you to the first Ivors Classical Awards.

Welcome also to the BFI Southbank, a fitting venue to host this celebration of extraordinary craft.

The name may be new, but these awards stand on a 20-year legacy of recognising outstanding composition in classical music and sound art.

As Chair of The Ivors Academy, I have the great privilege of representing my fellow composers and songwriters at occasions like this. Our members give their time and commitment to judge these awards. They decide who is nominated, and who wins an Ivor Novello Award based on their excellence alone. This appreciation by our peers sets an Ivor apart from all other forms of recognition.

An incredible breadth of work has been selected for the first Ivors Classical Awards. Composers, commissioners, publishers, performers and orchestras can be truly proud of the music that has premiered in the last year.

I would like to extend my gratitude to our sponsor, PRS for Music, and broadcast partner, BBC Radio 3. They are champions of music creators, contemporary composition and new adventures in classical music and sound art.

Tonight, we are delighted to present 11 Ivor Novello Awards, including the award for Community and Participation in association with ABRSM and the award for Innovation with the Musicians’ Union.

Thank you for joining us tonight for this special celebration of the craft of composition. Enjoy your evening.