Milton Keynes musician Ian Smith has been honoured by The Open University as a Master of the University for his exceptional contribution to education and culture at a recent degree ceremony.
The accolade comes after Ian’s long musical history working in schools in the area and beyond including Bridgewater Hall, Milton Keynes, Pilgrim Upper School, Bedford and latterly Wootton Upper School, Bedfordshire, where he was an assistant head as well as director of music and head of performing arts until his retirement in July 2010.
In between he served as head of the Bedfordshire County Music Service, promoting initiatives such as the Bedfordshire Youth Opera.
He has also conducted many local orchestras, including the Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra, the Milton Keynes City Orchestra and the Bedfordshire Second Youth Orchestra, taking many young performers to the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.
He is also a performer in his own right and, among many different roles, is lead violinist with the Beverley String Quartet. Many Open University staff and students have been involved in his musical ventures over the years.
Alongside his achievements he had a parallel career as a conductor and musical director, firstly with the Danesborough Chorus since the 1970s and as chorus master of the Bedford Choral Society since 1985 and soon after conductor.
Ian said it was a “great surprise” and an “enormous honour” to receive the honorary degree from the OU. He said: “My enthusiasm for music, especially classical music in my case, is something I have always sought to pass on to others.”
He continued: “I’ve also witnessed the great joy derived from music and music making by those who are not academically gifted or who are otherwise unable to communicate but who are able to perform or sing.”
His last word of advice for students was to “follow your passion and inspire others”.
