The Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards are the UK's principal awards for classical music, presented annually by the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS), founded in 1813. The awards recognize performers, composers, ensembles, and community initiatives across 13 categories. They are best suited for UK-based classical musicians, composers, and ensembles seeking recognition from the UK's oldest music society. The 2026 ceremony took place on March 12 at the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall, hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Georgia Mann and Petroc Trelawny.
Award Categories Explained
The RPS Awards recognize classical music excellence across 13 categories:
- Chamber-Scale Composition: Recognizes a new chamber work premiered during the eligibility period.
- Large-Scale Composition: Recognizes a new large-scale work (orchestral, opera, or major ensemble) premiered during the eligibility period.
- Conductor: Recognizes a conductor for outstanding work during the eligibility period.
- Ensemble: Recognizes an orchestra, chamber group, or collective for outstanding contributions.
- Gamechanger: Presented by the RPS Board and Council to an individual or organization breaking new ground in classical music. First presented in 2019.
- Impact: Recognizes initiatives that use classical music to create positive social change.
- Inspiration: The only award decided by public vote. Celebrates non-professional ensembles and community music-making.
- Instrumentalist: Recognizes a solo instrumentalist for outstanding performances and recordings.
- Opera and Music Theatre: Recognizes excellence in opera or music theatre productions.
- Series and Events: Recognizes outstanding concert series, festivals, or one-off events.
- Singer: Recognizes a vocalist (soprano, mezzo, tenor, baritone, or bass) for outstanding performances.
- Storytelling: Recognizes writing, broadcasting, or media that communicates classical music to wider audiences.
- Young Artist: Recognizes an emerging artist under 30 showing exceptional promise.
Notable Past Winners
The RPS Awards have been presented since 1989. Here are winners from recent years:
2026 RPS Awards (Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, March 12, 2026)
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Chamber-Scale Composition | Claudia Molitor - "Fever" |
| Large-Scale Composition | Mark-Anthony Turnage - "Festen" |
| Conductor | John Wilson |
| Ensemble | Royal Scottish National Orchestra |
| Gamechanger | Jacob Collier |
| Impact | Orchestras for All |
| Inspiration | Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society (public vote) |
| Instrumentalist | Peter Moore (trombone, first trombonist to win) |
| Opera and Music Theatre | Glyndebourne - "Uprising" (Jonathan Dove) |
| Series and Events | Southbank Centre - "Multitudes" |
| Singer | Louise Alder (soprano) |
| Storytelling | Elizabeth Alker - "Everything We Do Is Music" |
| Young Artist | Matilda Lloyd (trumpet) |
2025 RPS Awards (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, March 6, 2025)
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Chamber-Scale Composition | Sarah Lianne Lewis - "letting the light in" |
| Large-Scale Composition | Katherine Balch - "whisper concerto" |
| Conductor | Kazuki Yamada |
| Ensemble | Paraorchestra |
| Gamechanger | NMC Recordings |
| Impact | Re:Discover Festival (Streetwise Opera) |
| Inspiration | Open Arts Community Choir, Belfast (public vote) |
| Instrumentalist | Laura van der Heijden (cello) |
| Opera and Music Theatre | Death in Venice (Welsh National Opera) |
| Series and Events | The Cumnock Tryst |
| Singer | Claire Booth (soprano) |
| Storytelling | Classical Africa (BBC Radio 3) |
| Young Artist | GBSR Duo |
2024 RPS Awards (Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, March 5, 2024)
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Chamber-Scale Composition | Laurence Osborn - "TOMB!" |
| Large-Scale Composition | Kaija Saariaho - "Innocence" |
| Conductor | Francois-Xavier Roth |
| Ensemble | BBC Singers |
| Gamechanger | Sara Lee and the Irene Taylor Trust |
| Impact | Call of the Mountains (Clare Johnston and Drake Music Scotland) |
| Inspiration | Derwent Brass (public vote) |
| Instrumentalist | Jasdeep Singh Degun (sitar) |
| Opera and Music Theatre | Chornobyldorf (Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival) |
| Series and Events | Manchester Classical |
| Singer | Nicky Spence (tenor) |
| Storytelling | Leah Broad - "Quartet" |
| Young Artist | Lotte Betts-Dean (mezzo soprano) |
2023 RPS Awards (Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, March 1, 2023)
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Chamber-Scale Composition | Ben Nobuto - "SERENITY 2.0" |
| Large-Scale Composition | Gavin Higgins - "Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra" |
| Ensemble | Manchester Collective |
| Gamechanger | Anna Lapwood (organist and choral director) |
| Impact | The Endz |
| Inspiration | Torbay Symphony Orchestra (public vote, over 4,000 votes cast) |
| Instrumentalist | Abel Selaocoe (cello) |
| Series and Events | Leeds Piano Trail (attracted over 200,000 people) |
| Storytelling | Manchester Camerata - "Untold: Keith" |
Ceremony and Performance Clips
The complete film of the RPS Awards ceremony is available to watch on the RPS website. The ceremony is also broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and available on BBC Sounds.
The following YouTube videos feature RPS Award winners performing in the style that earned them recognition.
Jacob Collier, 2026 RPS Gamechanger Award winner, conducting an audience choir in three-part harmony. Collier closed the 2026 RPS Awards ceremony with a similar interactive performance, rousing the entire audience to sing:
Matilda Lloyd, 2026 RPS Young Artist Award winner (trumpet), in conversation with violist Timothy Ridout for Gramophone Magazine's Listening Room. Lloyd became the first trumpeter to win the RPS Young Artist Award:
Submission and Eligibility Details
The RPS was founded in 1813 to promote classical music in Britain. The awards have been presented since 1989. Key eligibility details:
- Nominations are open to the public and the music profession
- Anyone can nominate an artist, ensemble, or initiative
- Shortlists are compiled by expert panels for each category
- The Inspiration Award is uniquely decided by public vote
- There is no cash prize, but the trophy carries significant prestige in UK classical music
- The ceremony is held annually in London, recently at the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall
- The Sunday Times has called the RPS Awards "the biggest night in UK classical music"
The 2026 RPS Awards ceremony took place on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Over 850 music-makers and music-lovers attended. RPS Chair Angela Dixon presented trophies. The 2026 winners were:
- Chamber-Scale Composition: Claudia Molitor for "Fever" (for eight trumpets, first performed at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival)
- Conductor: John Wilson (for sell-out concerts and chart-topping albums with Sinfonia of London)
- Ensemble: Royal Scottish National Orchestra
- Gamechanger: Jacob Collier (for breaking new ground and inspiring audiences to discover their own creativity)
- Impact: Orchestras for All
- Inspiration: Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society (celebrating its 150th anniversary, decided by public vote)
- Instrumentalist: Peter Moore, trombone (first trombonist to win this award)
- Large-Scale Composition: Mark-Anthony Turnage for "Festen" (opera premiered at Royal Opera House in November 2024)
- Opera and Music Theatre: Glyndebourne's community opera "Uprising" composed by Jonathan Dove
- Series and Events: Southbank Centre's "Multitudes"
- Singer: Louise Alder, soprano
- Storytelling: Elizabeth Alker for her book "Everything We Do Is Music"
- Young Artist: Matilda Lloyd, trumpet
Jacob Collier closed the 2026 show with a live performance, rousing the entire audience to sing.
Key Benefits for Artists
- Open nominations: Anyone can nominate, making the awards accessible to independent artists and small ensembles. You do not need a label or publisher to submit.
- 13 diverse categories: The range of categories means artists at different career stages can qualify. The Young Artist Award (Matilda Lloyd in 2026) and the Gamechanger Award (Jacob Collier in 2026) recognize different types of contribution.
- Public vote category: The Inspiration Award, decided by public vote, gives community ensembles a chance at national recognition. Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society won in 2026.
- UK classical prestige: The RPS is the UK's oldest music society, founded in 1813. An RPS Award carries weight in UK classical music that commercial awards cannot match.
- BBC Radio 3 exposure: The ceremony is hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters and covered by the BBC, providing national radio exposure.
- Community recognition: The Impact and Inspiration categories recognize community music initiatives, not just professional performers. This creates opportunities for volunteer-run organizations.
Potential Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- UK focus: The awards are focused on UK classical music. International artists are not the target, though some categories may accept international work.
- No cash prize: The awards carry no cash prize, unlike the Pulitzer Prize ($15,000) or the Polar Music Prize ($93,900). The recognition is purely reputational.
- Classical music only: The awards focus on classical music, including opera, chamber music, and orchestral work. Pop, rock, and hip-hop artists do not qualify for most categories.
- London ceremony: The ceremony takes place in London, requiring nominees to travel. This can be a barrier for community ensembles based outside London.
- Expert panel opacity: The expert panels for each category are not publicly detailed, making selection criteria somewhat opaque. The Inspiration Award is the exception with its public vote.
- Limited media reach: While BBC Radio 3 covers the ceremony, classical music awards receive less mainstream media attention than pop music awards.
Related Resources
- Best Books Every Musician Should Read - Resources for classical musicians building their careers
- How to Network in the Music Industry Online and Offline - Building connections in the classical music world
- Music Awards Directory - Browse all music awards in our directory
- Official website: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk
Similar Awards
- Brit Awards - UK's premier pop music awards
- Mercury Prize - UK album of the year prize
- Polar Music Prize - Swedish prize recognizing excellence in music
- Pulitzer Prize for Music - US prize for musical composition
- Ivor Novello Awards - UK awards for songwriting and composition
- BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards - UK folk music awards
- Music Awards Directory - Browse all music awards in our directory
