President & Vice Presidents

Sir Thomas Allen is a renowned operatic baritone. He’s also Chancellor at the University of Durham. Thomas has had over 50 roles at The Royal Opera House in London and many more around the world. Thomas is passionate about making music accessible and is Patron of the Samling Institute for Young Artists. He has been President of Music in Hospitals & Care since 2005.

Katie Derham is a radio and TV broadcaster, best known as the face of the BBC Proms and regular presenter on BBC Radio 3. Hailing from Cheshire, she began her career as an ITV news anchor. Her love of music has led her to hosting the Classical BRIT Awards and music-based TV show ‘All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge’.

Dame Evelyn Glennie is a pioneering multi-percussionist. She is the first Scottish multi-percussionist to make a career as a full-time solo performer. Evelyn leads masterclasses and consultations with the next generation of musicians, aiming to “improve communication and social cohesion by encouraging everyone to discover new ways of listening”.

Christopher Glynn is a Grammy award-winning pianist and accompanist, and the Artistic Director of the Ryedale Festival. Chris was born in Leicester and read music at New College, Oxford, before studying piano at the Royal Academy of Music, where he is now a Fellow. He is also a Masterclass Leader for the Samling Institute.

Dame Felicity Lott is a well-loved English soprano. Following a degree in French she won a scholarship to study singing at the Royal Academy of Music, where she is now a Fellow and visiting Professor. She made her debut at the English National Opera in 1975. “Music is a force for good and should be available to everyone. I am proud of my long association with Music in Hospitals & Care.”

Toby Spence is an English tenor who has been active on the concert and opera circuit since 1995. He was a choral scholar at New College, Oxford, before going on to study with now Professor of Singing David Pollard at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Singer of the Year award in 2011.

Sir Richard Stilgoe is a performer, presenter and lyricist who made his name on 1970s magazine show ‘Nationwide’ and Esther Rantzen’s ‘That’s Life!’. He went on to a varied career in TV and radio, and wrote lyrics for ‘Starlight Express’ and ‘The Phantom of the Opera’. Richard was knighted 2012 for his charitable work, which includes founding The Orpheus Centre, a residential performing arts college for young disabled adults.

Julian Lloyd Webber is a world-renowned solo cellist, who has premiered more than 60 works and made many award-winning recordings. He was Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for five years. He is also the Founder and Chair of Sistema England, which helps donate instruments and provides leadership and performance mentoring for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.