ABO Award

The ABO Award is presented annually to the individual or institution considered by the membership to have made the most important contribution to the orchestral life of the UK. The ABO Award is unique among the many prestigious awards and prizes in the music world because its recipient is nominated by the member orchestras themselves.
Recipients have been as follows:
2019/20 The Musicians – the unsung heroes of the sector
2018/19 Carol Colburn Grigor
2017/18 Cathy Graham
2016/17 Marin Alsop
2015/16 Special Awards to Roy McEwan OBE and David Whelton OBE
2015/16 Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE
2014/15 Sally Groves
2013/14 Sir Mark Elder
2012/13 Sir Vernon Ellis
2011/12 Royal Philharmonic Society
2010/11 James MacMillan CBE
2009/10 David Takeno
2008/09 Sir Colin Davis
2008 Special posthumous Award to Vernon Handley CBE
2007/08 Sir Neville Marriner
2006/07 Sir Nicholas Kenyon
2005/06 David Richardson
2004/05 Roger Wright, BBC Radio 3
2003/04 Oliver Knussen
2002/03 Bernard Haitink KBE
2002 Special Award to Libby MacNamara
2001/02 John Wallace
2000/01 Sir Charles Mackerras
1999/00 Edward Smith
1998/99 Gillian Moore MBE
1997/98 Richard Hickox
1996/97 BBC Radio 3
1995/96 Sir Michael Tippett
1994/95 Bill Relton
1993/94 Classic FM
1992/93 Sir John Drummond
1991/92 Sir Simon Rattle
1990/91 Sir Peter Maxwell Davies