The Worshipful Company of Musicians has announced that composer Peter Graham will be the recipient of the 2009 Iles Medal.

Meanwhile, Marie Smith, a stalwart of the banding movement in the Midlands, will be presented with the Mortimer Medal.

Presentations

The presentations will take place at the British Open Championships in Birmingham on September 12th.

I am over the moon and cannot believe the significance of this awardMarie Smith

So proud

Marie told 4BR: "I am over the moon and cannot believe the significance of this award. My Dad would have been so proud. However it was only through his demise and Mum's insistance that I actually got into to teaching or even conducting."

Thanks

She added: "I still have no idea who nominated me but may I say thank you so much. I have also been invited to the Annual dinner of the Worshipful Company of Musicians in London in November to have the Mortimer medal presented again. I am so looking forward to this."