HRH The Prince of Wales has celebrated his 20th year as president of the Royal College of Music in London with the inauguration of a new honour. The President’s Award, which recognises a student’s outstanding work in the community, was presented for the first time on Wednesday to Ruairi Glasheen at the RCM’s Annual Awards ceremony. The Irish percussionist, who is currently completing a Masters, has been mentoring children as part of the RCM’s Sparks Juniors programme.

‘I didn’t start playing percussion until I was 17, and I think coming to it so late has been a great driving force for me in bringing musical opportunity to the community,’ said Glasheen. ‘In addition to my own creative pursuits, it has been a huge inspiration for me to work with the young people and the Royal College of Music and I am honoured to receive this recognition.’

The Prince also conferred the Fellowship of the Royal College of Music (FRCM) on five outstanding musical figures during the ceremony: singer Alfie Boe; RCM head of percussion and principal with the BBC Symphony Orchestra David Hockings; guitarist and composer Gary Ryan; flautist and conductor Jaime Martin; and Guildhall School of Music & Drama principal Barry Ife. Leading British conductor Christopher Hogwood was also presented with an Honorary Doctorate.

Watch a short film about the new RCM President’s Award below: