Leeds College of Music awards new Fellowships to key industry figures
Leeds College of Music (LCoM) is delighted to award three new Fellowships to influential industry figures on Friday 28 July. The Fellowships will be awarded to Vanessa Reed of PRS, Daniel Miller of Mute Records and music journalist Alexis Petridis, during the official LCoM Graduation ceremony at Leeds Town Hall.
2017 sees the first year of graduation from the LCoM Music Business pathway, and the Fellows have been selected as figures whose professional practice reflects the ethos and ambition of the conservatoire.
Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive of PRS Foundation, has dedicated her career to supporting artists and songwriters , significantly increasing funding available to musicians. She has pioneered initiatives including Momentum; a ground-breaking talent development fund for artists working in pop music. She has also worked to increase the visibility of women in the music industry, through the initiative Women Make Music, which responds to the low percentage of women taking up music as a career.
Vanessa Reed, ahead of her Fellowship from Leeds College of Music
Reed is awarded a Fellowship due to her continued commitment to supporting musicians and championing women working in the music industry.
On receiving her fellowship Vanessa Reed said: “I’m delighted to receive a Fellowship from Leeds College of Music. I’m aware of the vibrant music scene in Leeds and the talented musicians graduating from the conservatoire as many of the artists from the City have come to the Foundation for support. I look forward to extending this relationship and finding other ways to help the conservatoire’s Graduates with the next stage in their career.”
Daniel Miller is the Founder and Chairman of Mute, one of the world’s most innovative label, publishing and management companies. Since its conception in 1978, Mute has grown into an international company with a roster of artists including Goldfrapp, New Order, Can, Josh T. Pearson, Erasure and Apparat.
Daniel Miller (credit: Diane Zilmer), innovative music entrepreneur is awarded the Fellowship of Leeds College of Music
Throughout his career, Miller has always kept artistic integrity at the heart of his business, ensuring that decisions are driven by the artists, rather than the marketplace. This championing of artistic integrity is also very much at the heart of the ethos at Leeds College of Music.
Daniel Miller said, “I’m very honoured to be awarded the fellowship at Leeds College of Music. The conservatoire is an exceptional place for music education and I look forward to a long and fruitful association.”
Alexis Petridis is a British Music Journalist and Head Rock and Pop critic for the Guardian. During his successful career, he has also written for the Daily Telegraph, the Evening Standard, GQ, Esquire, Q and Mojo, and he is currently ghost-writing Elton John’s autobiography. He has been twice-nominated as ‘Critic of the year’ at the UK press awards; the only rock voice to be ever nominated.
Alex Petridis, esteemed music journalist and recipient of the Fellowship from Leeds College of Music
Petridis writes on a range of artists across the music industry from mainstream to underground, championing excellence irrespective of genre. He is awarded a Fellowship for his commitment to promoting and recognising artistic work though his long career in journalism.
Alexis Petridis, Head Rock & Pop Critic for The Guardian, said “I’m stunned and delighted to receive a Fellowship from the Leeds College Of Music - it’s really not the kind of recognition you would expect to get as a rock critic. I’m very proud of my West Yorkshire roots, so I’m pleased to be associated with such a prestigious local institution, and I’m looking forward to hearing some of the Leeds students actually perform.
Principal and Managing Director of Leeds College of Music, Gerry Godley, says;
“At the inaugural graduation from our Music Business Pathway, we are delighted to honour three Fellows who play a vital role in supporting and championing artistic development within the music industry.
We carefully select Fellows whose artistic and professional values match those of the conservatoire, and Vanessa Reed, Daniel Miller and Alexis Petridis all have a passion for creativity that reflects that of the community here at Leeds College of Music. They display an integrity and entrepreneurship that we encourage our students to aspire to as they embark upon their career in the music industry.”
Previous Fellowship awards at Leeds College of Music include Marc Almond, Nick Hodgson, Terry and Liz Bramall, Johnny Kalsi, Philip Meaden, Amy Pearce and Fiona Cunningham.
Watch the ceremony, here.
You can find a full list of the Leeds College of Music Fellows, here.
