King Charles has given his approval for The King's Medal for Music to be awarded to pianist Kathryn Stott for 2024 and composer Sir James MacMillan for 2025.
Both recipients were announced simultaneously following the recent formation of a new music committee under the Master of The King's Music.
Errollyn Wallen, who chairs the nominating committee, praised the pair as "truly outstanding and deserving winners celebrated not only for their remarkable musical achievements, but also for the inspiring energy and dedication they bring to nurturing musical talent within their communities."
The prestigious honour recognises musicians who have significantly shaped Britain's musical landscape, with Ms Stott and Sir James joining an illustrious roster of previous recipients including Dame Sarah Connolly, Nicola Benedetti and Sir Bryn Terfel.
King Charles announces back-to-back winners of prestigious music medal
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Ms Stott enjoyed a remarkable 46-year professional career spanning from 1978 to 2024, establishing herself as one of Britain's most versatile and imaginative musicians.
Her artistic collaborations have drawn particular acclaim, most notably her partnership with celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
The Lancashire-born pianist currently serves as Professor of Piano at the Royal Northern College of Music, where King Charles is Patron, having previously held teaching positions at both the Royal Academy of Music and the Norwegian Academy of Music.
She also supports emerging talent through her roles as Patron of Young Sounds UK and Trustee of The Countess of Munster Musical Trust.
Kathryn Stott enjoyed a remarkable 46-year professional career spanning from 1978 to 2024
|NIGEL PARRY
Responding to the honour, Ms Stott said: "I am deeply honoured to have been awarded The King's Gold Medal for Music and hope this will give inspiration to many young musicians who aspire to a life of creativity."
She added: "To have a life nourished by music is a wonderful gift. I am enormously grateful for this recognition not only of my artistic life as a pianist, but also my work with young musicians."
Sir James, a classical composer and conductor, has built a career deeply influenced by his Catholic faith, with numerous works commissioned for significant religious occasions, including a choral setting performed during Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 visit to Britain.
His compositions have marked several royal occasions, including a fanfare for Queen Elizabeth II's entrance to the reconvened Scottish Parliament in 1999 and an anthem performed at her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey in 2022.
In 2014, Sir James MacMillan founded The Cumnock Tryst, an annual music festival designed to broaden access to music in Cumnock and the Doon Valley
|JAMES BELLORINI
In 2014, Sir James founded The Cumnock Tryst, an annual music festival designed to broaden access to music in Cumnock and the Doon Valley whilst supporting local community regeneration.
Sir James expressed his delight at the recognition, stating: "I am deeply honoured and delighted to be chosen to receive The King's Gold Medal for Music and so to join a list of fellow musicians that I have greatly admired over the years."
He added: "This award will strengthen my resolve to continue the advocacy for music as one of the basic necessities in our lives here in the UK, and is a source of great pride for me."
Ms Stott began her musical journey at age five in Nelson, Lancashire, later attending the Yehudi Menuhin School before completing studies at the Royal College of Music.
Sir James studied music and composition at Edinburgh and Durham universities before lecturing at Manchester University.
The medal was established in 2005 at the suggestion of the late Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, then Master of The Queen's Music, to honour musicians who have profoundly influenced national musical life.