We are thrilled former Principal John Wallace has been presented with Honorary Membership of the Royal Philharmonic Society.

John was presented with this prestigious membership on-stage on Sunday 24 August where he was performing with the ensemble he founded almost 40 years ago: The Wallace Collection.

Since 1826, the RPS has presented Honorary Membership in recognition of those who devote their lives to music and uplifting others with it. It has been presented to some of the most important musicians in recent times. Recipients include Berlioz, Liszt, Wagner, Brahms, Dvořák, Clara Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Ravel, Stravinsky, Yehudi Menuhin, Fanny Waterman and more recently Evelyn Glennie, Stephen Sondheim, Judith Weir, and James MacMillan.

John is the second trumpeter to receive it, following Philip Jones in 1999, in whose ensemble John performed earlier in his career.

Internationally-renowned Scottish trumpet soloist, composer and educator, John Wallace CBE started playing the trumpet when he was seven years old. His professional career spans many decades, and has seen him attain titled roles at the Philharmonia (where he was Principal Trumpet and Vice Chair), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, and London Symphony Orchestra.

John has dedicated much of his career to music education, as Head of Brass at the Royal Academy of Music in London, before holding the position of Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland from 2002 until 2014.

Consequently, John convened the Music Education Partnership Group, which has worked tirelessly to secure free instrumental tuition in Scottish state schools. He has served as Chair for Glasgow Barons, President of St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh, and Patron of the Scottish Brass Band Association where, in 2025, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award.

John was presented with his Honorary Membership certificate by RPS Chief Executive James Murphy and RPS Trustee Jo Buckley, with the following citation:

“He is a torch-bearer for music education. […] He is an enduring crusader, in multiple roles, particularly in convening the Music Education Partnership Group, to ensure Scottish children have opportunities to be musically adventurous themselves.

“John, the spirit and selflessness with which you have done all this, all your life, is inspirational. […] You are an exemplar to us all, and a genuine national treasure.”