Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE accepts Collard Life Fellowship

The Collard Life Fellowship was established by the Musicians’ Company to be awarded to the most distinguished British composer of the time.

The first recipient of the Fellowship was Sir Edward Elgar in 1931. On his death, the Life Fellowship was awarded to Ralph Vaughan Williams and, subsequently, to Herbert Howells (who was Master of the Company in 1959). When Howells died in 1983, the award fell into abeyance.

The Musicians’ Company has now decided to reinstate this award to recognise the contribution to British Music by a contemporary composer, and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies CH CBE was delighted to accept the Collard Life Fellowship, conferred upon him when he was presented with a medal at the Livery Dinner on Wednesday 15th April at Apothecaries’ Hall. Receiving his medal from the Master, Sir Peter remarked, “This is the greatest honour that a composer would ever wish for.”

The Fellowship carries a gift of £5,000 to the musical charity of the holder’s choice, and at Sir Peter’s request the gift will benefit Youth Music .