The Archbishop of Canterbury presented the award during a service of Evensong held in the Archbishops Chapel.  It was a very moving occasion as different awards were made, some being awarded through examination and others receiving honorary awards.  A new preliminary certificate has been introduced to encourage younger people into church music and six awards were made to girls also preparing for university.  The Guild of Church Musicians is an ecumenical organisation and all certificates are signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.

 

Afterwards tea was served in the State Drawing rooms surrounded by the portraits of past Archbishops.  The Archbishop was very relaxed and posed for pictures with those who had achieved different awards.