to 1979, an honour only previously held by Otto Klemperer. Live Music Now In 1977 Yehudi Menuhin asked his friend, Ian Stoutzker, if he would realise a dream close to his heart. The scheme was to be called Live Music Now. Menuhin’s experiences during the Second World War playing to the sick and the wounded together with his desire to help talented young musicians had given him the idea of creating an organisation that would have a dual purpose. Its aim would be to reach out to those less fortunate in society to enjoy the benefits of live music and at the same time help young musicians at the start of their careers. Ian was Chairman from 1978 until 2019. Getting started was slow. Venues such as children and old peoples’ homes had to be convinced that Live Music Now could bring welfare benefits to offset the disruption of their routines. Most benefactors preferred to support performances in high profile venues. It was a pioneering venture. Today the scheme embraces the whole of the United Kingdom. An organisation nationwide delivering thousands of interactive music programmes each year in care homes, village halls, homes for children with special needs, special schools and hospitals and also in a range of healthcare settings. Millions have benefited from the scheme since its inception. The many thousands of musicians that have worked with Live Music Now now have over the years also received support and training which has given them new skills and employment opportunities at the start of their careers. The vast majority of them have remained active and highly successful members of the music profession. They are the best advocates for Live Music Now now having seen for themselves the impact on the lives of the participants. After forty years as Chairman of Live Music Now Ian has passed on responsibility for the future of the scheme to the very capable hands of Sir Vernon Ellis with Ian as President. London Symphony Orchestra Ian was invited to chair the Advisory Council of the London Symphony Orchestra in 1992, He served for fifteen years considerably extending the Council and its activities. He retired in 2007 and was awarded the Orchestra’s highest honour, Honorary Membership of the London Symphony Orchestra. European Union Youth Orchestra In 2014 Ian became Co-Chairman of the European Union Youth Orchestra, at a period of major transition, he served in this