A Scottish Catholic composer has received a knighthood for his services to music in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. James MacMillan, who was made a CBE in 2004, said he was delighted to receive the honour after it was announced on Friday. “I am especially pleased that the world of music, and contemporary composition in particular, will receive greater focus and recognition as a result," he said. “I feel encouraged and re-energised in my commitments in these fields and especially in my work with the new festival in Ayrshire, The Cumnock Tryst.” Mr Macmillan, who was born in Ayrshire, has composed music with strong Scottish roots and much of his music is said to be influenced by his Catholic faith. His compositions are performed in opera houses and churches all over the world. His percussion concerto, Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, has been performed close to 500 times since its premiere in 1992. The world premiere of his Symphony No.4 is set to take place at this year’s BBC Proms and is to be conducted by Donald Runnicles.