 The composer's work is being recognised in the United States |
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is to be honoured in Washington for his contribution to American culture. He will be presented with a Kennedy Center Honor, one of America's most prestigious cultural accolades.
Lloyd Webber said: "I'm very flattered to have been asked to join the impressive list of people the Kennedy Center has honoured over the years."
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will present the award at a ceremony on 1 December.
Outstanding contributions
Film director Steven Spielberg, musicians Dolly Parton and Smokey Robinson and conductor Zubin Mehta will also receive awards.
"This year we honour five extraordinary international artists whose abundant contributions to their fields are remarkable," Kennedy Center chairman Stephen A Schwarzman said.
He added: "They have transformed the culture of our country and the world.
"Andrew Lloyd Webber has led a seismic change in our musical theatre, becoming the most popular theatre composer in the world."
The day after the ceremony, President George W Bush and his wife Laura will receive the honorees at the White House before a special gala performance at the Kennedy Center.
Paul Newman, Tony Bennett, Tina Turner, Robert Redford, Jack Nicholson and Julie Andrews have all received the same recognition in the past.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Andrew Lloyd Webber has led a seismic change in our musical theatre
