Our director of chapel music Will Dawes has been made an associate of the Royal Academy of Music, an honour awarded to former students who have made a significant contribution to the music profession.

The honour was announced on Monday after being ratified by the academy’s governing body in February. Dawes studied choral conducting and singing at the academy, where he was taught by Patrick Russill, a leading performer and scholar of English church music.

“It’s a wonderful honour. It’s great to be recognized by the place where you studied,” Dawes says.

“I’d particularly like to thank Paddy Russill, who was a total inspiration and a wonderful teacher – full of musicality and humanity.”

Dawes will be leading the college choir on a tour of India in December.

 

Further reading?

Mansfield and Somerville Colleges’ Joint Statement on the Emergency Brake on Student Visas

Learn More
10 March 2026
Mansfield and Somerville Colleges’ Joint Statement on the Emergency Brake on Student Visas

‘Secret Genius’ Comes to Somerville

Learn More
26 February 2026
‘Secret Genius’ Comes to Somerville

Janet Vaughan Society Dinner 2026

Learn More
26 February 2026
Janet Vaughan Society Dinner 2026