With other Honorary Fellows at the ceremony at All Hallows-by-the-Tower, London.

The presentation ceremony

The Guild of Musicians and Singers was established in 1993 by the late Dennis Puxty. He established as a guiding principle of the Guild that it should draw its membership equally from professional and amateur musicians, allowing through its meetings the productive discourse that characterizes a learned society. Other leading members have included Masters of the Guild Dr David Bell, late organist to Herbert von Karajan, and Dr Maurice Merrell, chairman of the organ builders Bishop and Son.

The Guild has held twice-yearly meetings in central London, latterly at All Hallows by the Tower, which have been committed to celebrating a high standard of musical performance throughout. Programmes have included recitals on both the church and theatre organs and concerts by chamber and brass ensembles. I have given two piano recitals for the Guild, in 2004 and 2014. Illustrated lectures and talks have also been an important feature of the Guild’s activities.

The Guild is not an examining body but has admitted candidates to membership as Associates (now discontinued), Licentiates or Fellows based on their musical achievements. I was elected a Fellow in 2001.