Royal Philharmonic Society

Collage image: music-lovers and music-makers celebrate together at recent RPS Awards.

The #RPSAwards is a night of celebration, with special guests, inspirational stories, and live music. Join us at
@southbankcentre.bsky.social's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Thursday 12 March, with tickets from £10 (plus venue fees), and a group discount: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

Collage Image - from left: Composer Peter Salem, Dancers in Gentleman Jack, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.

'@northernballet.bsky.social's Gentleman Jack opens on Sat 7 March at Leeds Grand Theatre. Supported by the RPS Drummond Lockyer Fund for Dance, Peter Salem and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's new work is based on the life of Yorkshire diarist Anne Lister: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/whats_on/gen...

Poster for the Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition, including an image of a brass instrument bell, and the timetable for the competition. All information included is available at: https://pjbe.org/

Poster for the Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition, including images of the Jury, and details of the prizes - all information included is available at: https://pjbe.org/

Applications for the Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition close 1 March. Brass quintets aged 18-30 can apply to take part in the competition, 13-18 July 2026 at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. With prizes of up to £6,000, find out more and apply here: pjbe.org

Collage image of RPS Conductor Michal Oren and RPS Isserlis Scholarship recipients trombonist Amelia Lewis and violinist Sharon Zhou

Congratulations to RPS Conductor Michal Oren and RPS Isserlis Scholarship recipients trombonist Amelia Lewis and violinist Sharon Zhou who've been announced as three of @classicfm.com's Rising Stars for 2026! Discover more about these inspiring musicians here: www.classicfm.com/music-news/r...

Jumoké Fashola - 20/02/2026 - BBC Sounds London's news, sport and travel with your views on the big issues.

You're invited to the #RPSAwards! On Friday RPS Chief Executive James Murphy spoke to BBC Radio London's Jumoké Fashola about how everyone's welcome at the #RPSAwards on Thursday 12 March at @southbankcentre.bsky.social's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Listen from 02:43:38: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Radio 3 in Concert - Dvorak's Symphony No. 8 - BBC Sounds BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ryan Wigglesworth live from Glasgow.

It was great to hear the premiere of new music by RPS Composer Philip Dutton live on BBC Radio 3 in Concert yesterday. Performed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, listen from the start to hear 'There, where I call home' on @bbcsounds.bsky.social:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

RPS Awards graphic, featuring Beverley McGeown, musical director of Belfast's Open Arts Community Choir, who were awarded the 2025 RPS Inspiration Award, holding her lyre trophy. Text reads :'JOIN US TO CELEBRATE CLASSICAL MUSIC'S UNSUNG HEROES TICKETS FROM £10 PLUS VENUE FEES 7.00pm THURS 12 MARCH QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, LONDON.' With the 2026 RPS Awards logo, a white lyre with text which reads ' Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026.' Blue background.

Celebrate classical music's heroes with us!
The #RPSAwards celebrate devoted music-makers up and down the nation. Join us at @southbankcentre.bsky.social's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Thursday 12 March, with tickets from £10 (plus venue fees): royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

The Solem Quartet, pictured alongside a quote from RPS Member Carol Nixon who has commissioned them. Text reads: ' The way the composers reacted changed my life. Their enthusiasm, the way they wrapped me into their worlds, was fascinating, rewarding, satisfying, exciting...RPS Member from Ceredigion, Wales, who has commissioned new music, including for the Solem Quartet.'

Most people don't imagine they could commission a composer – RPS Member Carol didn't either, until she was emboldened to try, bringing new music with lasting worth into the world. Discover more about commissioning and read Carol's story on our website: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/composers/co...

Applications are open until Tuesday 31 March for the RPS Ambache Fund, offering grants of up to £5,000 to support performers, ensembles, venues and festivals putting music by historic women composers at the heart of their programming. Find out more: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/performers/r...

Swaledale Festival 2026

Our friends and RPS Advance Corporate Members Swaledale Festival invite you to join them for a fortnight of music, arts and walking across North Yorkshire, with public booking open today! You can find out more and book via our website: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/whats_on/swa...

RPS Awards graphic, featuring Singer Award Shortlistee Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha. Text reads :'JOIN US for "THE BAFTAS of CLASSICAL MUSIC" BBC RADIO 3 7.00pm THURS 12 MARCH QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, LONDON TICKETS FROM £10 PLUS VENUE FEES.' With the 2026 RPS Awards logo, a white lyre with text which reads ' Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026.' Blue background.

The #RPSAwards are classical music's 'Oscars, the BAFTAs and the Grammys all rolled into one' (BBC Radio 3). Join us to celebrate at @southbankcentre.bsky.social's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Thursday 12 March, with tickets from £10 (plus venue fees): royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

A marketing graphic for the 2026 RPS Awards, featuring a cut out of conductor of Ellie Slorach. The text reads 'Let's make some noise about classical music. Tickets from £10 plus venue fees. 7.00pm 12 March, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London'

Have you booked your tickets for the 2026 #RPSAwards?

Join us at @southbankcentre.bsky.social's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Thurs 12 March for a night of celebration, inspiring stories and live performances. Tickets from £10 (plus venue fees): royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

There's just a few days left to apply for the RPS Isserlis Scholarship, which supports musicians who are looking to study abroad.

You can find out more about how we could support your plans, and apply by 11am on Wednesday 18 February on our website: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/performers/s...

RPS Awards graphic, featuring Young Artist Award shortlistee Matilda Lloyd playing teh trumpet. Text reads - 'ATTENTION CLASSICAL MUSIC-LOVERS JOIN US £10 FROM JUST PLUS VENUE FEES 7.00pm 12 MARCH QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, LONDONS' At the bottom is the 2026 RPS Awards logo, a white lyre with text whish reads ' Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026.' Blue background.

Calling all classical music-lovers for the 2026 #RPSAwards – a night celebrating music-making across the UK. Join us at @southbankcentre.bsky.social's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Thurs 12 March, with tickets from £10 (plus venue fees) and a group discount: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

Flyer for the Philip Jones Brass Spectacular. Image of a sketch of a male trumpet player, and The Musicians’ Company logo, alongside text which reads: 'BRASS SPECTACULAR Celebration of Brass Chamber Music in memory of Philip Jones(1928-2000) Saturday21 February 2026 at 6 pm atKings Place 90 York Way,London N1 9AG Tickets£20 (standard) and £10 (under 30s) Transaction feesapply https://kingsplace.co.uk/brassspectacular A showcaseof the finest student brass ensembles from the major UK music colleges Royal Academy of Music Royal College of Music Royal Northern College of Music Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Trinity Laban Conservatoire Guildhall School of Music & Drama Presented in association with The Musicians’ Company'

Join brass ensembles from conservatoires across the country on Saturday 21 February at @kingsplacelondon.bsky.social, for a spectacular celebration of brass chamber music, in memory of Philip Jones. Find out more and book here: www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/cla...

Conductors gather round the podium in discussion at the RPS Conductors course. From left: Mariana Rosas, Claudia Fuller, Tania Mazzetti, Dorothy Khadem-Missagh, Alice Farnham.

We're so pleased to welcome four of our 2026-27 RPS Conductors to The Glasshouse in Gateshead this week, for our course in partnership with conductor Alice Farnham and @rnsinfonia.bsky.social. Discover more about the RPS Conductors programme here: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/performers/r...

RPS Awards graphic, featuring Singer Award shortlistee Louise Alder performing beside the piano. Text reads - 'LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE ABOUT CLASSICAL MUSIC 7.00pm 12 MARCH QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL. LONDON TICKETS FROM £10 PLUS VENUE FEES' At the bottom is the 2026 RPS Awards logo, a white lyre with text whish reads ' Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026.' Blue background.

The #RPSAwards is a night of celebration, with special guests, inspirational stories, and live music. Join us at
@southbankcentre.bsky.social's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Thursday 12 March, with tickets from £10 (plus venue fees), and a group discount: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

Composer Thea Musgrave, in a garden wearing a black shirt.

We are welcoming applications to the RPS Thea Musgrave Fund! With grants for Composition and Performance, the fund is made possible with the kind support of composer Thea Musgrave and conductor Peter Mark. Find out more and apply by 7 July 2026: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/composers/rp...

Finn Anderson-Hendra, pictured with her cello, alongside a quote about her experience studying abroad. Text reads: ' My RPS Isserlis Scholarship allows me to study at Scandinavian Cello School in Denmark as a Young Artist. Being able to focus so deeply in that environment is extremely useful, and I find myself being able to work on aspects of my playing I wouldn’t have the time and space to in my day-to-day practice otherwise. Finn Anderson-Hendra, recipient of an RPS Isserlis Scholarship.'

An RPS Isserlis Scholarship is supporting Finn to study cello in Denmark – find out how an RPS Isserlis Scholarship could help support your plans to study abroad, and apply by 18 February 2026, here: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/performers/i...

What draws composers' imaginations, or even starts them on the path to making their own music? From puppetry to '90s TV, we spoke to RPS Featured Composer Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade about her inspirations. Watch the interview and discover more here: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/composers/rp...

The 2025 RPS Composers gather at the end of programme networking event. From left: Arthur Keegan, Emily Hazrati, Lisa Robertson, Derri Joseph Lewis, Amble Skuse, Sasha Scott, Zygmund de Somogyi, Cameron Biles-Liddell.

We're welcoming applications for the 2027 RPS Composers programme, for UK-based composers establishing a career. Write for a noted ensemble, venue or festival, with professional development workshops and mentoring. Find out more and apply by 1 April: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/composers/rp...

Arthur Keegan

We're grateful to RPS Members and a range of trusts and foundations whose support makes the RPS Composers programme possible and to programme partners @hebridesensemble.bsky.social for their incredible musicianship. Discover more of Arthur's work here: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/composers/rp...

Hebrides Ensemble take a bow following their performance of Arthur Keegan's Coalesce: Quartet for the Start of Life'.

Last night in Cumnock @hebridesensemble.bsky.social gave the premiere of RPS Composer Arthur Keegan's new work. Inspired by Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time, 'Coalesce' transported the audience to a time before life emerged on earth. Hear it again in Edinburgh. www.hebridesensemble.com/events/

Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026 Shortlist announcement graphic. A blue background with a colour image of each shortlistee, above the name of the Award. All text on the graphic reflects the post.

Voting for the 2026 RPS Inspiration Award has now closed - the winner will be announced at the #RPSAwards, 7pm on Thursday 12 March at @southbankcentre.bsky.social's Queen Elizabeth Hall. You can join us on the night to celebrate: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026 Shortlist announcement graphic. A blue background with a colour image of each shortlistee, above the name of the Award. All text on the graphic reflects the post.

This weekend is your last chance to vote for the RPS Inspiration Award! #RPSAwards
You can find out more about the shortlistees and cast your vote before 11am on Monday 2 February on our website: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/rps_today/ne...

The life lessons of classical music: we need each other to play a symphony | Letter Letter: Responding to an article by James Murphy, Chris Scarlett writes that her amateur orchestra provides a great collective experience

We love this letter in @theguardian.com responding to our article published on Monday – here's to musicians like Chris up and down the UK! www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...

Poster for Brighton Festival Chorus Concert. Image of waves forming the shape of a cello scroll. Text reads: 'Elgar Cello Concerto and the Music Makers.'

On Sunday 8 February, our friends and RPS Corporate Member @bfchorus.bsky.social will be joined by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and cellist Adrian Bradbury, for an evening of Elgar's most moving music. Find out more and book via: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/whats_on/bfc...

Bethan Morgan-Williams Composer

Huge congratulations to RPS Composer Bethan Morgan-Williams, @morganwilliamsb.bsky.social who has been awarded the 2026 Ernst von Siemens Composer Prize!
You can discover more, hear Bethan's music, and find out about upcoming performances of her works on her website: www.bethanmorganwilliams.com

RPS Awards graphic, featuring images of past winners ( Roderick Williams, Laura van der Heijden and Nicola Bendetti) holding RPS 'lyres' trophies. Text reads - 'Join us for Classical Music's biggest night, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.00pm 12 March Tickets from £10 plus venue fees.' At the bottom is the 2026 RPS Awards logo, a white lyre with text whish reads ' Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026.' Blue background.

The #RPSAwards is a night of celebration, with special guests, inspirational stories, and live music. Join us at @southbankcentre.bsky.social's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Thursday 12 March, with tickets from £10 (plus venue fees), and a group discount: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

RPS Isserlis Scholraship recipient Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson, pictured alongside a quote about his experience studying abroad. Text (in white) reads: I just made my debut as Principal Clarinet at Carnegie Hall: without the support of the RPS, I would not have had the opportunity to perform on such a stage and study in New York. It’s a dream come true.’ Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson, clarinet whose studies at The Juilliard School were facilitated by an RPS Isserlis Scholarship snapshot taken onstage at Carnegie Hall'

An RPS Isserlis Scholarship supported Mebrakh to study clarinet in New York – find out how an RPS Isserlis Scholarship could help support your plans to study abroad, and apply by 18 February 2026, here: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/performers/i...