Mike Pearson named Printed Music Retailer of the Year

Mike Pearson of Forsyth Brothers Ltd was last night (Wednesday 24 November) named Printed Music Retailer of the Year at the 2010 MIA Awards. The Award, sponsored by the MPA Catalogue of Printed Music, was accepted by Mike at a ceremony at London’s Landmark Hotel. Forsyths’ Manchester shop is over 150 years old and is the UK's single largest music department store, stocking an extensive range of instruments alongside more than 30,000 printed music titles. Collecting the Award, Mike said, "I’m flattered that the publishers of the MPA have voted me Printed Music Retailer of the Year. I dedicate the Award to all my colleagues at Forsyths".

Lifetime Achievement Award for John McLean

A special Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by the MPA and Classic FM, was presented to John McLean of Chappell of Bond Street. John is retiring after 30 years at Chappell and was described as a “legend” of the industry. Stephen Navin, MPA chief executive, who presented John with his Award, commented “The MPA is delighted to sponsor these Awards and to celebrate the tremendous contribution made to our industry by individuals such as Mike and John. The genesis of the music publishing business was printed music, and it remains an important and dynamic part of that business today”.

Upon receiving his Award John McLean said, “Receiving this award is a great honour and an entirely unexpected one. I am shocked and overwhelmed. Thank you MIA, for giving me this award, and thank you Classic FM and the publishers of the MPA for making this happen. But most of all, may I thank all the great people of our industry who have made my lifetime’s work so completely fulfilling and wonderful.”

ABRSM named Printed Music Publisher of the Year

The Printed Music Publisher of the Year Award went to ABRSM, whose Joining the Dots series of publications by Alan Bullard also scooped both the Innovation in Printed Music Publishing Award and the Best Education Publication Award. The series is described as “a fresh-approach to piano sight reading”. 

Bullard completed a hat-trick of awards picking up the Best Classical Publication Award for The Oxford Book of Flexible Carols, published by Oxford University Press. Alan Bullard said, "This really is a great honour – and a great surprise! I’m delighted that Joining the Dots and The Oxford Book of Flexible Carols have been recognised by the industry in this way. These books wouldn’t have happened without the skilful support of the staff at both OUP and ABRSM – thank you for your encouragement and support."

ABRSM’s UK and Ireland sales executive Roger Gale was presented with the Retailers’ Award for Distinction in Music Publishing.

Leslie East of ABRSM commented, "We are thrilled to be named Printed Music Publisher of the Year, as this is the ultimate tribute to the extraordinary work of the whole team of compilers, consultants and ABRSM staff. Particular congratulations go to Roger Gale, our UK & Ireland Sales Executive, whose passion for music, the publishing industry and the role of the retailer have been recognised once again by the retail trade. Piano is still the most popular ABRSM subject – over 275,000 piano exams were taken last year – and we are delighted that the new approach to supporting piano teachers and students that is Joining the Dots has been recognised with two awards.’

Music Sales also had reason to celebrate, picking up the Best Pop Publication Award for Glee The Music (Volume 1).

All photos courtesy of MIA.