The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Awards announce their shortlists today. The event heads to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Thursday 6 March and tickets are priced from £10 to £30.

James Murphy, RPS Chief Executive, said: ‘We often see classical music make news due to setbacks and funding cuts. Yet a resoundingly different story is being forged by musicians nationwide who – whatever they face – resiliently, creatively keep giving everything they have for the benefit of others. Communities recognise this, and they treasure it. This is the message we need more people to hear. Let’s all take pride in the story of Britain’s inspirational musicians, represented by this year’s shortlists.’

The initiatives such as Streetwise Opera, World Heart Beat Music Academy, and Ex Cathedra are nominated in the Impact award. Among the star names nominated are three BBC Young Musician category finalists all up for the Instrumentalist Award – pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason, horn player Ben Goldscheider, and cellist Laura van der Heijden – and composer Ben Nobuto.

The UK’s constellation of amateur groups is recognised with the RPS Inspiration Award, the winner of which is decided by public vote from a shortlist comprising brass band director Katrina Marzella Wheeler, Belfast’s Open Arts Community Choir, Europe’s oldest LGBTQ+ community choir The Pink Singers, and Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra. Visit the RPS website by 11am on Monday 3 February 2025 to discover more about the nominees and cast your vote for this award.

This year’s RPS Awards, featuring performances from a range of nominees, is hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Jess Gillam and Tom McKinney with trophies presented by RPS Chair Angela Dixon.

The event will be filmed to watch on the RPS website from Monday 17 March and BBC Radio 3 presents a special broadcasting featuring music of the winners and nominees on Friday 7 March.