The shortlist for this year’s Royal Philharmonic Society Awards has been announced, showcasing a host of good news stories about classical music in the UK.
Described as ‘the biggest night in UK classical music’ (The Sunday Times), the focus is on the musicians, ensembles, organisations and initiatives that inspire and enrich lives nationwide.
Among the star names shortlisted are conductor John Wilson, soprano Louise Alder who sang at the 2025 BBC Last Night of the Proms, composer Mark-Anthony Turnage for The Royal Ballet and Opera’s hit Festen, and Peter Moore who in 2008, aged just 12, won the televised final of BBC Young Musician, and now becomes the first trombone player to be shortlisted for the RPS Instrumentalist Award.
The shortlists are also a national success story reflecting musical activity from across the UK. Nominees from:
- Scotland include the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society, Scotland-based composer David Fennessy, and Glasgow’s Nordic Music Days festival)
- Wales include the choir Cantorion Llandrindod, and the community opera Gresffordd: I’r Goleuni ’Nawr / Gresford: Up from Underground
- England including Bradford Accordion Band, Birmingham Opera Company, and Kent’s JAM on the Marsh festival.
The RPS Impact Award is given to great examples of classical music’s power to change lives for the better such as with Orchestras for All, the music charity that empowers young people to take the lead who would not otherwise have such opportunity.
Disabled artists are also celebrated, with nominations including the one-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy and the blind pianist Ethan Loch. There is also the RPS Inspiration Award celebrating the UK’s constellation of amateur groups with the winner decided by public vote.
This year’s awards will be hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Georgia Mann and Petroc Trelawny with trophies presented by RPS Chair Angela Dixon.
Taking place at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, on Thursday 12 March 2026, tickets start at just £10. Find out more at the RPS website.