The Worshipful Company of Musicians has announced the recipients of the Iles Medal and Mortimer Medal for 2026.

The annual awards are made by the City of London's historic livery company, formed in 1500, in recognition of outstanding service to the brass band movement. The recipients will be honoured at the British Open Championship at Symphony Hall in September with official presentations made at a livery event later in the year.

Excel and strengthen

In making the announcement, the Worshipful Company of Musicians stated: "These awards celebrate people who not only excel in brass band music, but actively strengthen it.

Each has each given decades of service, leadership and inspiration to the movement, shaping generations of players and raising standards across the sector. Both honours are richly deserved, and it's a real pleasure to recognise their outstanding contributions."

Iles Medal

The Iles Medal, established in 1947, will be presented to David Thornton.

The conductor, performer and educator joins prestigious figures who according to the Worshipful Company, have made, "a significant contribution to the brass band movement." Previous recipients include the likes of Harry Mortimer and Stanley Boddington to more latterly David Childs and last year's recipient, Paul Holland.

A hugely influential proactive advocate for the brass band art form, David Thornton's musical journey has taken him from a young student at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, to become its Joint Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion.

He is also Director of Brass Band Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, and Artistic Director of the RNCM International Brass Band Festival, where he continues to inspire the next generation of performers and audiences worldwide.

His accolades as a performer and conductor are hugely respected, as has been his commitment to brass band and euphonium repertoire.

Honour

Speaking about the award he told 4BR: "It's an honour to be even considered for the Iles Medal, never mind be the recipient. Having been studying the list of previous winners, there are names on that list that I have referenced in reverence so many times during my teaching.

I'm very fortunate that something I'm so passionate about has formed such a formative aspect of my life. I fell in love with the sound and energy of brass bands at a very young age, and that passion is still with me today.

Whether it be playing, conducting, teaching, or directing the RNCM festival, I'm very lucky to have had the opportunities and experiences that have come my way."

The Mortimer Medal

The Mortimer Medal, endowed in 1995 in memory of Harry Mortimer by his widow, Margaret Mortimer, will be presented to conductor, player and educator Ian Raisbeck in recognition of "services for the teaching of young people in the brass band movement."

He also follows in a line of inspirational figures — from Nigel Boddice MBE, to last year's recipient Louise Renshaw.

Each has each given decades of service, leadership and inspiration to the movement, shaping generations of players and raising standards across the sectorThe Worshipful Company of Musicians

25 years

Ian Raisbeck has enjoyed an association with the Lions Youth Band spanning over 25 years; from a young player, to being appointed their first 'Composer in Residence', tutor, deputy conductor, and finally, following the death of inspirational figure Nigel Birch, as Musical Director in 2023.

He studied Trumpet at Birmingham Conservatoire and has performed across a wide variety of ensembles, including orchestras, theatre bands, big bands and brass ensembles. He was a valued member of Foden's Band for over a decade, and managed the Foden's Youth Band.

Educator

A passionate educator, he worked as a brass teacher before moving into classroom teaching at Sandbach School, and has been a conductor and tutor on the Wessex Band Summer School and the Armagh Brass Band Summer Schools.

Speaking about the news of the award he told 4BR: "When I was informed that I had been nominated to receive the award, I was truly humbled. To be included alongside the illustrious names of the previous winners is a huge honour."