*
banner

Academy honour for Adoo

The inspirational trumpet player and musician Clarence Adoo is to become an Honorary Fellow (Hon FRAM) of the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Clarence Adoo
  Clarence Adoo is a hugely admired musical figure

The inspirational trumpet player and musician Clarence Adoo is to become an Honorary Fellow (Hon FRAM) of the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Meanwhile, conductor John Wilson will be awarded an Hon RAM following his appointment as Henry Wood Chair of Conducting earlier this year.

Respected

Hugely respected and admired within the brass band movement Clarence is a founder of the British Paraorchestra and Friends which is now recognised as the first professionally funded disabled orchestra in the world.

He is also the patron for 'Open Youth Orchestras', a programme which is currently running in special educational needs schools of around 300 children in the UK, and recently he gave an inspirational talk to the members of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain on their on-line Easter course.

Honorary Fellows

The Academy announced its list of musicians, performers and educators who will be conferred at their graduation ceremonies in July at Freemason's Hall in Covent Garden, with Clarence and John joining renowned sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar, and film and television composer Carl Davis CBE as an Honorary Fellow (Hon FRAM).

Academy professors recognised as Hon RAMs include flautist Karen Jones, violinist Maureen Smith, and vocal tutor Nuccia Focile, whilst Visiting Professor, Neil Brand, known for his hugely popular BBC television series and silent film accompaniment at the British Film Institute and festival director and cellist Adrian Brendel are also honoured.

Hugely respected and admired within the brass band movement Clarence is a founder of the British Paraorchestra and Friends which is now recognised as the first professionally funded disabled orchestra in the world4BR

Recognised

Fellows (FRAMs), an honour reserved for Academy alumni, are singer Katherine Jenkins OBE, accordion player Ksenija Sidorova, violinist Lucy Gould, double bass player Graham Mitchell, pianist and accompanist Christopher Glynn and tenor Robin Tritschler.

Composers Roxanna Panufnik and Eleanor Alberga will also be awarded FRAMs. Tim Parker, Chairman of the National Trust and member of the Academy's governing body, will be recognised as an Hon FRAM, as will Head of Open Academy, Julian West.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Brett Baker

4BR Monday interview with Brett Baker

January 4 • In the first of a new series of weekly audio interviews, 4BR Editor Iwan Fox catches up with Brett Baker.


Quiz

4BR Christmas Quiz: The answers and winner

January 4 • There was a great response to the annual 4BR Christmas Quiz — but it did catch quite a lot of people out too...


Regionals

AoBBA to lead Area test-piece workshop

January 4 • The Association of Brass Band Adjudicators will join up with Newstead Brass to present a free Regionals Test Piece workshop for Sections 2, 3 & 4.


thecooperationband

Ramsay takes principal cooperation role

January 4 • Alex Ramsay has become the principal cornet of the cooperation band.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Saturday 21 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Tewit Silver Band

January 3 • PRINCIPAL Eb BASS position - our enthusiastic team of basses are looking for the right leader to elevate them to the next level. We have a great program of events ahead of us including contests and concerts alongside a good social vibe.


Tewit Silver Band

January 3 • Championship CORNET players - we are looking for a strong front row player to complete our section. We have a great year ahead including contests, hymn and march contests, concerts and Durham Miners alongside a good social vibe.


East London Brass

January 3 • PERCUSSIONIST - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a percussionist to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Nicholas B. Hudson

FTCL LGSMD (Hons)
Musician | Trombonist | Educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd