The James Lobban Prize for Musicology

The James Lobban Prize for Musicology, instituted in 2012, is awarded annually to the student of the University of Aberdeen who achieves the highest mark in his or her Honours dissertation on Music.

Hannah Graham, 2012 Winner of the James Lobban Prize for MusicologyKate Graham presents Hannah Graham with the 2012 James Lobban Prize for Musicology

James Lobban, a graduate of the University of Aberdeen, was Conductor of Aberdeen Bach Choir from 1969 until 2005, shortly before his death. He was a keen music scholar and took a great interest in the work of the Music Department of his alma mater. The James Lobban Prize for Musicology is funded by a legacy left by James to Aberdeen Bach Choir.

The first winner of the James Lobban Prize is Hannah Graham from Orkney, who graduated with a First Class Honours B.Mus. Degree on 5 July 2012. Hannah's dissertation, which gained the highest possible mark, was on the relationship between speech and fiddle music in the islands of Orkney and Shetland.

The fiddle is Hannah's main instrument but her further studies take her away from music, as she is set to do a Masters in Ethnology and Folklore at the Elphinstone Institute of the University of Aberdeen. She was presented with her award by Aberdeen Bach Choir President Kate Graham at a ceremony held immediately after her graduation on 5 June 2012.