John Butt awarded an O.B.E.

We are delighted to announce that John Butt is to become an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) for services to music in Scotland.

John Butt has enjoyed so far a remarkable career in music. As a scholar, his work has been widely published and is acknowledged to be among the most original and insightful in recent years. Since 2003 his work with the Dunedin Consort has brought him and the company a host of accolades and awards, including both a Gramophone and Midem Awards for his recording of Handel's Messiah in its original 1742 Dublin version. His work with the Dunedin Consort has seen the company expand from a purely vocal ensemble into Scotland's pre-eminent baroque ensemble, one which is now in considerable demand.

John Butt says, 'I am very pleased to receive this honour. It is a boost not only to me but also to the University of Glasgow and the Dunedin Consort. My work with these two exceptional organisations has allowed me to explore issues of research and performance practice in an unprecedented way. I could not have done any of the work that has led to this honour without their support but more importantly without the tireless patience of my wife Sally.'

Those who have worked with John closely will know how richly deserved this award is. His generosity, unbounded enthusiasm and contagious energy have inspired a generation of students, countless professional performers and numerous amateur musicians. 

Congratulations John!