RPS Music Awards

The RPS Music Awards… “tell you something worth knowing. And they’re also a truly happy event: stylish enough to carry a sense of occasion but not overburdened by glitz or scarred by fake emotion. They acknowledge real achievement. And they show the music business at its best: as a community that takes delight in what its members do, and celebrates it.” - The Daily Telegraph

The RPS Music Awards are the highest recognition for live classical music-making in the United Kingdom. These fiercely coveted independent awards were set up in 1989 to celebrate the outstanding musical achievements of both young and established, British and International, musicians. In 2003, BBC Radio 3 became media partners, introducing the Radio 3 Listeners Award and devoting an evening-long programme to the RPS Music Awards.

The RPS Music Awards are governed by the Society’s guiding principles of Excellence, Creativity and Understanding. Nominations are invited annually from leading members of the profession and organisations throughout the country. Each Award is decided by an eminent, independent jury. The list of winners since 1989 reads as a roll call of the finest living musicians.

The awards honour a broad sweep of live music making including categories for performers, composers, inspirational arts organisations and education. There is no restriction on the nationality of recipients, but the awards are for achievements within the United Kingdom.

This year we have made two changes to the categoires: Education becomes the RPS Music Award for Learning and Participation, and the Audience Development category is now the RPS Music Award for Audiences and Engagement. You can view the categories and criteria here.

The RPS Music Awards are presented at a celebratory dinner at the Dorchester Hotel which has become one of the highlights of the London musical calendar. Each year a distinguished cultural figure is invited to address the guests and the presentation is made by a musician of international renown.

Nominations for the next awards are now closed, and the Shortlist will be announced in April 2012.