Category: Member News
Our annual lunch returned to the iconic Savoy hotel in London this month to honour and give thanks to ten individuals who have worked tirelessly to support the professional lives of songwriters and composers in the UK. This year we were delighted to welcome a brand new host to the show, legendary broadcaster Edith Bowman. […]
The sudden death of composer Jonathan Goldstein, along with his wife Hannah Marcinowicz and their daughter, shocked the community last month when it was announced the family tragically died in a plane crash in Switzerland. Jonathan, who was a member of The Ivors Academy from 2010 – 2019, was a multi-award winning composer for film, […]
We are delighted to announce the recipients collecting a Gold Badge, which takes place at The Savoy in London on 11 October. The 2019 ceremony will be hosted by broadcaster Edith Bowman. The event, now in its 46th year, is presented by the songwriting and composing community and celebrates exceptional talent in the UK music […]
“Songwriters need a raise!” Nile Rodgers speaks about the sustainability of the songwriting industry
The pair stunned a room full of songwriters and academics as they emerged as special surprise guests as part of the event, delivering an intimate Keynote discussion led by Songwriting Studies project leader Dr Simon Barber. Merck Mercuriadis opened the conversation by exploring the changing world of music publishing, expressing his growing concerns around the […]
Ivor Novello Award-winning musician and producer Nile Rodgers surprised a room full of songwriters, music industry workers, and academics on 8th August, emerging as the unannounced keynote speaker for the Songwriting Studies Research Network event held at The Ivors Academy in London. Billed as a conference around the activities of an academic research network, delegates […]
Following a recent survey hosted by the MU to assess the impact of Pledge’s collapse, we have been working alongside a number of music organisations and charities to pool resources and offer some helpful advice to anyone who has been impacted by the closure of the crowdfunding organisation. If you participated in the survey you […]
PRS for Music is undertaking a public consultation on the terms of Tariff LC (Live Classical) which is used to license the use of copyright music controlled by PRS for Music, at classical music concerts and recitals. This public consultation provides an opportunity for all licensees under Tariff LC, Academy and PRS members and other […]
Created in 1974, The Ivors Academy Gold Badge acknowledges exceptional talent in the UK music industry; individuals who support creativity in all its musical forms and as general champions of music. For over 45 years we have recognised and celebrated the many inspiring people who have supported our membership through the presentation of The Ivors […]
Doug Flett was an active member of the Academy for many years, who was presented with an Ivor Novello Award in 1974 with long-time writing partner Guy Fletcher for their song ‘Power to All Our Friends’, recorded by Cliff Richard. Since the mid-60s the pair have written hit songs for many international artists, enjoying four […]
From world-wide premiers to an opening of the iconic Last Night of the Proms, here’s our guide to the works being performed by our composing community. John Adams 8th September, Prom 66: John Luther Adams’s In the Name of the Earth In the Name of the Earth (50 mins) – European premier Malcolm Arnold 5th […]
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2019 has been released and we are delighted to see a host of creators being recognised for their outstanding achievements and services to Music. Amongst those are Academy members Jonathan Dove and Mitch Murray who have been presented with a CBE. Composer Jonathan Dove has been nominated a staggering eleven […]
Les was a long-standing member of the Academy who had been awarded with five Ivor Novello awards in the 60s and a Gold Badge in 1980, in honour of his extraordinary lifetime achievement and contribution to songwriting. Artists including Elvis Presley, Shirley Bassey, Bing Crosby and Lulu have all recorded songs written by Les Reed. […]
The investiture ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace on 4th April, where the award was given by Prince Charles. Shirley is an active member of The Ivors Academy, currently sitting on the Academy’s Classical committee, and is involved with a number of the Academy’s initiatives and working groups, including an ongoing diversity and inclusion campaigning […]
Amongst those are BASCA members Nick Mason, founding member and drummer of Pink Floyd, who was presented with a Gold Badge Award in 2012, as well as composer, producer and recipient of the Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement award 2017 Nitin Sawhney. Both music creators have been awarded a CBE for services to music. On receiving his honour, […]
Debbie is Classic FM’s Composer in Residence and her latest album “The Glorious Garden”, a collaboration with Alan Titchmarsh, topped the UK Classical Chart for three weeks. In a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on November 16th, Wiseman was presented with her award by Prince Charles. Also presented with her award that day was Grace Ladoja, […]
How do you feel about receiving a Gold Badge Award from the songwriting and composing community? “Honoured and delighted! Gold Badge is a very special occasion and I’m looking forward to seeing colleagues and friends.” What has been the most pivotal moment in your career? “Writing the music for a film about the National Trust, […]
How do you feel about receiving a Gold Badge Award from the songwriting and composing community? “I’m very flattered and if I’m honest, I’m as pleased as Punch, especially because the award was voted for by colleagues rather than members of the general public. It’s recognition for a branch of musical activity which normally passes […]
How do you feel about receiving a Gold Badge Award from the songwriting and composing community? “It’s a great honour to be recognised by one’s peers. I’m very humbled.” What has been the most pivotal moment in your career? “The most pivotal moment came in Miami on New Year’s Eve 1983, when as a 23-year […]
How do you feel about receiving a Gold Badge Award from the songwriting and composing community? “I genuinely can’t think of a greater compliment. I have so much respect, admiration and affection for those incredible artists who gift the world with new music. It would be privilege enough just to spend my working days with […]
How do you feel about receiving a Gold Badge Award from the songwriting and composing community? “In my understanding of the world of music, the composer is at the top of the food chain. Without composers…..well, it is pretty obvious isn’t it! There would be no music. I spend my Conducting life supporting composers, both […]
