Order of Merit for Simon Halsey
International
Chair of Choral Conducting at the Royal Welsh College, Simon
Halsey, has been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic
of Germany (Officers Cross) for his outstanding services to choral
music.
The Bundesverdienstkreuz – Order of
Merit - was presented to Simon Halsey by State Culture Secretary
André Schmitz in January. It is awarded for exceptional political,
economic, cultural and intellectual achievements.
“Simon Halsey not only knows how to inspire his
chorus,” said André Schmitz in his presentation speech, “but also
how to fire up the entire city’s enthusiasm with his innovative
projects and extraordinary activities.”
“I am very gratified by this award and hope that the entire
spectrum of choral music will be its beneficiary,” said Simon.
College Principal, Hilary Boulding added her
congratulations, “It is a great honour for Simon and terrific
recognition for his extensive contribution to choral music
internationally. As one of the world’s most renowned choral
directors, Simon Halsey brings immeasurable experience and skill to
the Royal Welsh College’s Choral Conducting Masters course.”
Simon Halsey has been the principal conductor of the Berlin
Rundfunkchor since 2001 and has positioned the ensemble as an
internationally-sought after and Grammy-winning concert chorus, and
as an ambassador for choral music.
As well as teaching Choral Conducting
at the College, Simon Halsey is much in demand internationally as a
conductor and lecturer, working as guest lecturer and conductor at
the University of Minnesota and Yale University in the US.