On the evening of 6 July 2006, at London's Old Billingsgate, the Music Publishers Association celebrated 125 years of service to its members in a style such as only an occasion as momentous as this could allow for!

The emphasis of the evening's entertainment was on the songwriters and composers who have made the music publishing industry what it is today.  The first ever MPA Richard Toeman Scholarship Award was presented by Howard Goodall to Katy Jones of Bucks Music Group, and then Michael Nyman provided a prelude to dinner with a medley of his works for solo piano. 

Following dinner, famed troubador Donovan played a string of his own hits, and Guy Chambers performed his signature composition, 'Angels', with Beverley Knight.  The night was rounded off with performances by the members of the Society Of Distinguished Songwriters, who performed a stream of classic hits, which included 'Delilah' by Barry Mason, 'Downtown' by Tony Hatch, 'Born Free' by Don Black, 'United We Stand' by Tony Hiller, 'She' by Herman Kretzmer, 'I'm Not In Love' by Graham Gouldman, 'Mandy' by Richard Kerr, 'You've Got Your Troubles' by Roger Greenaway, 'Nights in White Satin' by Justin Hayward and 'It's Not Unusual' by Les Reed. Every guest received a souvenir programme, along with a copy of the 'Great British Songbook', a compilation in sheet music format of the UK's greatest songs from the last 125 years, put together for the event by Music Sales.

Over £1700 was donated over the course of the evening, and the proceeds will be split evenly between Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the Richard Toeman Scholarship Fund.

For more information, visit the MPA’s website: www.mpaonline.org.uk