Queen's Birthday Honours

[VodkaDilc]

There are so many notable musicians that should be honoured really, I just cant understand why they are not?

Though it does seem that almost every eminent conductor over the last century or so has been knighted.

[vinteuil]

There are so many notable musicians that should be honoured really, I just cant understand why they are not?

... ah BBM. we do not have the time and space here to go into the invidiousness of the so-called "Honours" system, nor yet its essential absurdity. Richard Barrett will be able to expound more lucidly than I can the total silliness of the entire system. The best people refuse such honours : the really best don't even let on that they have refused such ridiculous gewgaws....

[antongould]

... ah BBM. we do not have the time and space here to go into the invidiousness of the so-called "Honours" system, nor yet its essential absurdity. Richard Barrett will be able to expound more lucidly than I can the total silliness of the entire system. The best people refuse such honours : the really best don't even let on that they have refused such ridiculous gewgaws....

Very well said, IMHO, vints

[salymap]

i think the 'honours' went with the job in the past.The conductor ofthe BBCSO and other top posts had to have the supposed gravitas that goes with a knighthood.

Someone mentioned earlier that there was nothing for Ida. If they mean Ida Haendel I thought she had something or other some years ago. She's certainly one of the greats IMHO.

[mercia]

Ida Haendel

CBE in 1991

if one has the time to trawl through the whole list, several awards are music-related, perhaps not to 'famous' musicians but various administrators or people involved in community music making

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/206698/Birthday_Honours_List_2013.pdf

I'm always on the lookout for people whose surnames mirror their professions
Mr Sergeant the policeman etc. etc.

[pastoralguy]

Someone mentioned earlier that there was nothing for Ida. If they mean Ida Haendel I thought she had something or other some years ago. She's certainly one of the greats IMHO.

Ida Haendel possess's genius. A much rarer commodity than a nod from some committee. ( realistically, I reckon the outspoken Ida has upset too many mandarins to get much support).

[amateur51]

Abolish the whole nauseating elitist bangshoot and go for a system of National British and British Local Treasures

[vinteuil]

I'm always on the lookout for people whose surnames mirror their professions
Mr Sergeant the policeman etc. etc.

ah yes -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominative_determinism

[LeMartinPecheur]

Oi! Oi! He would be top of my '6 degrees of separation' list. We were once both candidates in the same election. I beat him (though I didn't win either )

Did he, or did he not, have a Cunning Plan?

[mercia]

was this a birthday honour ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22902592

is it really "the UK's only full-time professional chamber orchestra" ?

I wonder if Grayson P will be awarded at the palace, a wonderful opportunity to outdress everyone

[amateur51]

was this a birthday honour ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22902592

is it really "the UK's only full-time professional chamber orchestra" ?

I wonder if Grayson P will be awarded at the palace, a wonderful opportunity to outdress everyone

Oh yes please - should be Investiture of the Year

[Hornspieler]

I have always been against people being 'honoured' for being succesful in their chosen profession - whether they be jockeys (favoured by royalty), actors, singers (both pop and classical), conductors, financiers or writers.

To me, if we are to have an honours system, it should be confined to those who do something for their fellow citizens without any question of financial reward or for people who act with bravery at the risk to their personal safety.

Sir Thomas Beecham was a baronet by succession - not success (yes, get rid of that nonsense too)

Why should a conductor be knighted for waving a stick for a remuneration ten times that of the players in his orchestra?

Why should that conductor's wife acquire the title of 'Lady'? (Lady Beecham? She couldn't play a scale of C major!)

To scrap the whole system would be to deprive those who work selflessly on behalf of others of recognition; but the 'honours' awards have now become as farcical as the title 'The Honourable Mr .....' for the son of hereditary peer.

HS

[french frank]

Did he, or did he not, have a Cunning Plan?

I suppose we both did. We were both undeniably and unforgivably ungracious in pledging not to make the routine speeches congratulating the winner

[amateur51]

I suppose we both did. We were both undeniably and unforgivably ungracious in pledging not to make the routine speeches congratulating the winner

But I trust that you planned to thank the returning officer & the local rozzery

[french frank]

But I trust that you planned to thank the returning officer & the local rozzery

Well, getting back to the subject (no we didn't - that would have been rude to omit mention of the winner: we were simply churlish).

was this a birthday honour ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22902592

is it really "the UK's only full-time professional chamber orchestra" ?

It would surprise me, but that means little. We have a professional chamber orchestra in Bristol, but I suppose the key words are 'full-time'.