Educator and violinist Nicola Benedetti CBE has been appointed honorary president of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS).
It has also been announced that Dr Bridget McConnell CBE has been appointed as honorary vice president of RCS, after retiring last month as chief executive of Glasgow live.
Previous honorary presidents of the institution include Lord Kelvin, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Dame Janet Baker, Sir Alexander Gibson, Dame Judi Dench and, most recently, Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
Nicola Benedetti said: ‘It is such an honour to be appointed honorary president of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as it celebrates its 175th anniversary and to follow such an illustrious list of people in this role. Institutions that nurture the highest excellence have a vital role to play in the future of Scotland.’
Benedetti established the Benedetti Foundation in 2019, and has worked with over 29,000 participants from over 103 countries, delivering accessible musical experiences. She holds nine honorary degrees to date, and was awarded the Queen’s Medal for Music in 2017.
Dr Bridget McConnell said: ‘I am delighted and deeply honoured to be appointed as honorary vice president of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, an organisation I hold in the highest esteem and love dearly for the life-affirming role it plays in our higher education and cultural sectors and society more widely. I am also thrilled that Nicola Benedetti will be taking on the role of honorary president and look forward to supporting RCS over the coming years.’
Commenting on the appointments of the new honorary president and vice president, professor Jeffrey Sharkey, principal of the RCS said: ‘In Nicola and Bridget, as our new honorary president and a vice president, the RCS is extremely lucky to have outstanding international cultural leaders and role models who are passionate and knowledgeable advocates for the power of the arts. I’m thrilled and proud to have them as part of our community.’
