The Worshipful Company of Musicians, formed in 1500, and one of the City of London's historic livery companies, has announced the recipients of its Iles Medal and Mortimer Medal for 2025.

The awards are made annually in recognition of outstanding service to the brass band movement. They will be presented at the British Open Championship at Symphony Hall in September.

Awards

The Iles Medal, established in 1947, will be presented to conductor Paul Holland. He follows a line of musicians and figures who have made "a significant contribution to the brass band movement."

The Mortimer Medal, endowed in 1995 in memory of Harry Mortimer by his widow, Margaret Mortimer, will be presented to conductor Louise Renshaw in recognition of "fostering new generations of brass band musicians".

Paul Holland

On hearing the news, Paul told 4BR: "This is a huge honour and one that has come as a great surprise. My musical outlook has been influenced by so many people over so many years, so this award in very much down to them.

The bands, players and friends too — all have pushed me forward. I feel really humbled that my contribution to the banding world has been marked in this way."

Louise Renshaw

That feeling was also echoed by Louise who told 4BR: "I'm delighted and honoured to receive this award. Working alongside young people is a huge privilege, rewarding and challenging in equal measure, and I continue to enjoy it immensely.

Over the past 20 years with Macclesfield Youth a fantastic team of volunteers has removed barriers to participation in music, reducing costs, providing instruments and tuition, reaching out to young people who might otherwise not find music and striving to be as inclusive as possible.

This award is very much for them as it is for me."

The awards are made annually in recognition of outstanding service to the brass band movement. They will be presented at the British Open Championship at Symphony Hall in September4BR

2025 Iles Medal: Paul Holland

Paul Holland is a product of Welsh brass banding community. Having studied music at Huddersfield University where as a horn player he became a member of the Black Dyke Band that claimed a memorable triple-crown of European, National and British Open wins in 1995.

Influenced greatly by the late James Watson, he took his first steps in conducting on his return to Wales, where he led the Newbridge (Celynen) Band with considerable success — including victory at the Second Section National Championship of Great Britain in 2007.

His association with the Flowers Band began in 2009. His first tenure to 2017 established them as one of the UK's leading elite level bands — winning multiple West of England and Butlins Mineworkers Championships, as well as the Grand Shield and French Open.

His return in 2019 marked further repeated success, the culmination of which was in leading the band in being crowned 2024 National Champion of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall.

In addition, a busy freelance conducting schedule has seen him work successfully throughout the UK, Norway and the Netherlands where he led Brass Band Schoonhoven to the National title in 2019.

As a leading adjudicator he had judged at the British Open, Spring Festival and National Championships of Great Britain, as well as the Swiss and French National Championships and the SIDDIS Entertainment contest in Norway.

His diverse artistic outlook has seen him work and commission repertoire from both new and established composers for the medium as well as lead courses of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, the forthcoming National Youth Brass Band of The Netherlands and the Elgar International Brass Band Summer School.

2025 Mortimer Medal: Louise Renshaw

The Mortimer Medal recognises service in fostering new generations of brass band musicians, having been endowed in 1995 in memory of Harry Mortimer by his widow, Margaret Mortimer.

The Company is pleased to announce that the recipient for 2025 is the conductor, Louise Renshaw.

Over 40 years, Louise has established a hugely respected reputation as an inspirational conductor and educator of brass band players — first with the Poynton Youth Band and South East Cheshire Youth Band organisations, and for the past 20 with her leadership of Macclesfield Youth Band.

During that time, she has inspired hundreds of youngsters to take the first steps on what have become hugely fulfilling musical journeys based on an ethos of a holistic, inclusive commitment to musical enjoyment.

This has seen her spearhead a team of volunteers at Macclesfield who meet every Friday to encourage, develop and inspire youngsters through their love of music.

Her commitment has long been admired and recognised for its excellence.

In 2023 Louise was presented with the Brass Bands England 'Conductor of the Year' award, whilst earlier this year she led Macclesfield Youth Band at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival, sharing the performance spotlight with leading elite level bands and world class soloists.