The English-born Bradshaw is one of 29 Ontarians to receive the award this year. According to the COC, the order "recognizes and honors those who have enriched the lives of others by attaining the highest standards of excellence and achievement in their respective fields."
Before coming to Toronto, Bradshaw was chorus director at the Glyndebourne Festival and resident conductor at the San Francisco Opera. He joined the COC as chief conductor and head of music in 1989; he became artistic director in 1994 and general director in 1998.