Transforming Communities

LMN Founder-President Ian Stoutzker receives knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List

 

Ian Stoutzker has today been awarded a knighthood for his lifelong commitment to the arts and music. Amongst his many achievements, it is his role in creating Live Music Now that he considers his greatest contribution.

In 1977, together with the late Yehudi Menuhin, Ian Stoutzker founded LMN which has grown to be the UK’s leading provider of thousands of interactive music programmes to a diverse range of people that rarely, if ever, have access to live music in places such as special schools, care homes and hospitals.

The real and profound effects on people’s lives by engaging in live music are now well established, but Stoutzker and Menuhin were pioneers in establishing the lasting benefits for the development and mental wellbeing of those who take part – including families, teachers and carers. The quality of LMN’s work has been recognised by the Care Quality Commission, Royal Society for Public Health and most recently by being shortlisted for the final of this year’s Charity Awards.

Live Music Now trains and supports talented young professional musicians to deliver LMN’s work based on the latest healthcare and educational research. This not only informs their work for LMN but plays an active role in their development as musicians.

Ian Stoutzker commented:

“Yehudi Menuhin’s experiences performing during the Second World War to the sick, wounded and lonely combined with his abiding concern for the development of our most talented young musicians were the inspiration for the formation of Live Music Now. We could hardly have imagined that we were embarking on an adventure which would create a charitable and cultural institution at the heart of Britain’s musical life. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the thousands of people who have been involved in making LMN the great success it is and I know that its work is still as vitally needed as ever.”

Sir Vernon Ellis, Chairman, Live Music Now commented:

“Thanks to Ian and Yehudi Menuhin’s vision and passionate commitment, LMN has given over 80,000 interactive music sessions for millions of people. By doing so, LMN has helped change the way that we all think about the arts and the profound impact they have on people. Everyone at LMN is deeply grateful for the incredible legacy he has given this country which has been so deservedly recognised by his knighthood.”