A number of classical musicians have received honours in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, including Music Director of King’s College Cambridge Stephen Cleobury, conductor Robin Ticciati, pianist Joanna MacGregor, soprano sisters Mary and Sophie Bevan, tenor Alfie Boe and composer Jonathan Dove.

Leading figures awarded Knighthoods, alongside Cleobury, also included director David Pountney - currently Welsh National Opera's Artistic Director - and Ian Stoutzker, founder of music charity, Live Music Now.

Cleobury steps down from his position at King’s this summer, having lead the music in the chapel since 1982, during which time his achievements have included the commissioning of music, notably carols, from many of today’s most significant composers, as well as leaving an acclaimed legacy of recordings, most recently on the college’s own record label. ‘I am profoundly honoured to have received this award,’ he said. ‘I have sought to nourish and support the precious choral tradition that we have in this country, and to be an advocate for the innumerable benefits of singing and choral music.’ His most recent recording, released last week, explores the music of Herbert Howells – he discusses it on the latest Gramophone podcast.

Pianist Joanna MacGregor is appointed CBE, following her earlier OBE. Currently head of piano at the Royal Academy of Music and Artistic Director of the Dartington International Summer School & Festival, she has recorded more than 30 solo albums.

Robin Ticciati, former principal conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, received an OBE. Current Music Director of both the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and Glyndebourne Festival Opera, his recordings of Berlioz and Ravel, among others, have been praised in Gramophone’s pages. So too have those of Mary and Sophie Bevan, both as recital soloists, and as part of wider projects – they both received MBEs.

The full list of recipients of honours can be found at the Cabinet Office website.