In Wednesday’s (4/24) Guardian (London), Imogen Tilden writes, “The Royal Philharmonic Society today announced a new series of awards for international music makers. The society, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary, will honour five men and women who have put music at the heart of some of the most challenged communities in the world. Each will receive a prestigious and rarely given musical award, honorary membership of the RPS. … Former airline pilot Armand Diangienda founded and conducts a symphony orchestra in one of the world’s poorest cities, Kinshasa, DRC; British viola player Rosemary Nalden, founder of Buskaid, will be honoured for her work in stringed instrument school in Diepkloof, Soweto; former Leeds Piano Competition winner Ricardo Castro stepped away from a career as an international soloist to run a flourishing youth music programme in Bahia, Brazil; US-based Aaron P. Dworkin founded the Sphinx Organisation, which provides opportunities for black and Latino musicians; and Dr. Ahmad Sarmast set up the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, where Afghan children can receive a general education as well as specialist training in Afghan and Western classical music.”
Posted April 25, 2013
