The royal family are putting their weight behind a new prize designed to raise the profile of British music and to "reward individuals who have had a major influence on the musical life of the nation". The new Queen's Medal for Music will awarded to a musician who has had a real impact on music in Britain.
That musician could be of any nationality, working in any genre of music from classical to rap.
The first award will be made on 22 Nov, the memorial day of St.
Cecilia, patron saint of music (apparantly). Commenting on the new award, composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies who, as Master of The Queen's Music, will chair the award committee, said the medal was "a concrete symbol of the esteem which most of us feel musical life in Britain deserves."
The new award was announced as the Queen hosted a special evening for musicians which saw hundreds of music people, from leading rockers to community groups and school children, in attendance at Buckingham Palace. Among the guests were Eric Clapton, **Brian
May, Jimmy Page, Phil Collins, Dame Vera Lynn, Jamie Cullum and Sir Cameron Mackintosh**.