The long-time music director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields described the distinction as ‘a profound and wholly unexpected honour’
The US violinist Joshua Bell has been awarded an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music.
Honorary CBEs are awarded to foreign nationals who have made a distinguished and innovative contribution to their field in the UK. Bell is now in his 14th season as music director of London’s Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF).
The honour has been conferred by His Majesty The King on the advice of the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
’This is a profound and wholly unexpected honour,’ said Bell. ’Leading the Academy of St Martin in the Fields for nearly 15 years has been one of the great privileges of my career. This extraordinary orchestra has always made me - an American from Indiana - feel at home in a country so rich in history and tradition.
’To be recognised now as a CBE deepens the sense of kinship I feel with both my orchestra and the United Kingdom. I could not be more grateful for this distinction, which stands as a testament to the many years of music-making I’ve been fortunate to share with these remarkable musicians.’
Bell began his role as music director of ASMF in 2011. In 2024, the extension of his tenure was announced to continue to August 2028.
In the 2025–26 season, Bell leads ASMF on extensive tours in both Europe and the US, including performance at London’s Cadogan Hall in January 2026 and New York’s Carnegie Hall in March 2026. Both tours will feature Schumann’s ’Spring’ Symphony and Brahms’s Violin Concerto, with Bell leading the orchestra from the first violin chair in the former and serving as soloist for the latter.
No comments yet