Page 84 - RPS Awards 2024 Coverage Book

But James Murphy, chief executive of the Royal Philharmonic Society, is keen to fly
the flag for classical music and to put the spotlight on more positive stories in the
industry.

Mancunian Matters sat down with Murphy to talk about the decision to hold this
year’s Royal Philharmonic Society Awards outside of London for the first time, the
major players in Manchester’s classical music scene, and what’s next for the
classical music industry.

The annual RPS Awards are among the industry’s most prestigious accolades, with
gongs going for best Young Artist, Instrumentalist, Gamechanger, and Chamber-
Scale Composition, among others.

Murphy explained that the Awards have evolved considerably over time, with the
2024 edition – held in March at the Royal Northern College of Music – taking place
outside of London for the first time in their 35-year history.

Murphy said: “Year on year there are so many great things that are shortlisted and
win that happen all across the country, and it really is a national story. So the fact
that the event has taken place in London for the last 30 years didn’t feel entirely
right.

“Last year there were big wins for Manchester Collective, a fantastic, fresh chamber
orchestra based in Manchester, and Manchester Camerata, [who’d] made this
amazing film about their work with people with dementia. When Manchester is
leading the field in so many different ways it seemed like the right step to come
[here]. It’s such an incredible cultural city, there’s so much classical music and that’s
been the case since the Industrial Revolution.”

Formerly a sit-down dinner closed to non-industry guests, in Murphy’s tenure at the
RPS the Awards have opened up to the general public too. Tickets this year were
£10, and Murphy explained: “We wanted to break it out – we thought it was too good
a thing to keep hidden away.

“All of us in classical music have a big responsibility to make the case for its
relevance, its ability to engage, and inspire, and console, and fortify. We’ve all got to
think about access in every single regard and it’s just the right thing to do so more
people can get in and feel part of it. Yes, it’s an industry event, but we want this
event to be for music lovers as much as music makers.

“Making tickets only £10, it’s a gesture to say, our message is ‘come and get
involved, this is for you.’ Classical music is nothing without its audience. It’s really
important that we embrace the audience and salute them for all they do to keep
classical music alive.”