Dame Janet Baker was an internationally acclaimed singer for over 30 years. Following her success at the Kathleen Ferrier Competition in 1956, she grew to become one of Britain’s finest mezzo-sopranos. A close collaborator of Benjamin Britten and famed for her roles at the English National Opera and Glyndebourne, she was recognised for her contribution to the world of music and honoured in many countries. She was awarded a CBE in 1970, a DBE in 1979 and Companion of Honour in 1994. She served as Chancellor of the University of York for many years and on her retirement was given the Freedom of the City. She holds Honorary Degrees from Oxford and Cambridge and nine other universities, as well as the Gold Medal from the Royal Philharmonic Society, and is Commander of the French Order for Arts and Letters.
Dame Janet’s commitment to the next generation has proved as enduring as her career. She served as a Trustee of the Countess of Munster Trust from 1976 until 2009 and also as Trustee for the Foundation for Sport and Arts. She was Patron for the Elgar Birthplace Trust and the Leeds International Piano Competition.
The Dame Janet Baker Award is an annual award given to a singer of considerable talent, selected by the Trustees from the vocal auditions for the Munster Study Grant held each spring.
Previous recipients include Will Prior, countertenor (2024), and Miro Trehane, soprano (2025).
This year (2026), the award has been won by soprano Maryam Wocial.
See below for ways to donate to help support the continuation of the Dame Janet Baker Award.
