Conductor George Vass has been awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Leslie Boosey Award.

Awarded every two years, the Leslie Boosey Award celebrates those working ‘backstage’ to advocate for contemporary music. Previous recipients include trailblazers in the UK’s new music world, including the founders of major festivals and ensembles, publishers and community advocates, as well as composers and performers in their roles as artistic directors.

Vass received the award in recognition of his tireless championship of new music over the course of his career, including his Artistic Directorship of the Presteigne Festival, which he has led for over 30 years. Known as one of the country’s leading proponents of contemporary music, Vass has given voice to the world premieres of over 150 works, and has previously been awarded a BASCA Gold Badge Award marking his support for the UK song writing and composing community.

Vass received the award at the opening reception of the Presteigne Festival in Wales this August. Presenting it, Harriet Wybor, General Manager of the Royal Philharmonic Society, said “Presteigne Festival devotees and composers alike will know that bringing new music to life requires hard work and dedication. Not just from those writing and performing music on stage, but from those with the vision to encourage composers to share their imagination, to support them in their creative endeavours through commissions and mentoring, and to programme exciting new music for audiences to hear. We see this in action here at Presteigne Festival each year, and we are delighted to present this Award to its Artistic Director for over 30 years, George Vass.”

To read more about the award, please click here.

Photo credit: Royal Philharmonic Society