Shortlists announced for the 2025 RPS Awards

The shortlists for the 2025 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards have been announced.

The awards celebrate the enduring value of classical music, casting a light on the individuals, groups and initiatives that are musically inspiring communities across the UK.

This year's RPS Awards will take place at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on 6 March, marking the first time the event has ever been hosted in Birmingham. PRS for Music is one of several principal supporters of this year's ceremony.

You can see the nominees for the 2025 RPS Awards below.

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 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 Duo
• Leia Zhu violin

Speaking about this year’s ceremony, RPS Chief Executive James Murphy 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. 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.’

Daniel Lewis, PRS’s Relationship Manager for Classical, added: ‘The RPS Awards demonstrate the vital and uplifting role that classical music plays in British culture. As a principal supporter of the awards, PRS for Music is proud to join the Royal Philharmonic Society in sharing these stories.

‘I am especially pleased to see many PRS members nominated in the Large Scale and Chamber Scale composition categories, and look forward to celebrating with them at the ceremony in March.’

The 2025 RPS Awards will be available to stream on the RPS website from 17 March, while BBC Radio 3 will air a special broadcast featuring music by the winners and nominees on 7 March.