Read on to discover all the nominated artists for the 2025 RPS Awards...
The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) has today announced the shortlist for its 2025 Awards, 'casting a light on the individuals, groups and initiatives musically inspiring communities and lifting spirits and morale across the UK'.
Among the nominees in 13 categories – including Large-Scale Composition, Conductor, Ensemble, Impact, Instrumentalist, and Opera and Music Theatre – are such recognisable names as Streetwise Opera, Ex Cathedra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Opera Company, Paraorchestra, composer Ben Nabuto, and 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.
RPS Chief Executive James Murphy says of the 2025 RPS Awards:
‘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. We warmly invite you to join us for an uplifting and exciting occasion celebrating what they do, at this year’s Royal Philharmonic Society Awards.’
When and where do the 2025 RPS Awards take place?
The 2025 RPS Awards will take place for the first time in Birmingham, at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on 6 March 2025, featuring performances from a range of nominees and hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Jess Gillam and Tom McKinney. The event will be available to watch on the RPS website from 17 March. In addition, BBC Radio 3 will present a special broadcast featuring music of the winners and nominees on 7 March.
See the full list of 2025 RPS Awards nominees below:
| Award | Shortlist |
| Chamber-Scale Composition supported by Boosey & Hawkes, in memory of Tony Fell | Cassandra Miller – Chanter Sally Beamish – Trance Sarah Lianne Lewis – letting the light in |
| Conductor supported by supported by Newzik | Dinis Sousa Kazuki Yamada Nil Venditti |
| Ensemble supported by Outhere Music Group | CBSO Chorus Paraorchestra Scottish Chamber Orchestra |
| Impact supported by Oxford University Press Music | Re:Discover Festival – Streetwise Opera Singing Medicine – Ex Cathedra World Heart Beat Music Academy |
| Inspiration supported by Presto Music | Katrina Marzella-Wheeler Open Arts Community Choir The Pink Singers Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra |
| Instrumentalist supported by ISM, the Independent Society of Musicians | Ben Goldscheider – horn Isata Kanneh-Mason – piano Laura van der Heijden – cello |
| Large-Scale Composition supported by The Boltini Trust | Ben Nobuto – Hallelujah Sim. Hans Abrahamsen – Concerto for Horn and Orchestra Katherine Balch – whisper concerto |
| Opera and Music Theatre supported by Wise Music Group | Curlew River – Aldeburgh Festival Death in Venice – Welsh National Opera New Year – Birmingham Opera Company |
| Series and Events supported by Warner Classics | Aldeburgh Festival The Cumnock Tryst The Future is Green – Royal Northern College of Music |
| Singer supported by Jenny Hodgson | Claire Booth – soprano David Butt Philip – tenor Francesca Chiejina – soprano |
| Storytelling supported by Martin Randall Festivals | Backstage with the London Philharmonic Orchestra – Sky Arts Cello: A Journey Through Silence to Sound – Kate Kennedy Classical Africa – BBC Radio 3 |
| Young Artist supported by Sir Simon and Victoria,Lady Robey CBE | Charlotte Corderoy – conductor GBSR DuoLeia Zhu – violin |