Page 23 - Final_RPS Awards 2020 Media Coverage Book

Colin’s Column

14 October 2020
Shortlist announced for 2020 Royal

Philharmonic Society Awards.

At this critical time for the Arts, there has never been a more important moment to champion the
worth of classical music. Today, the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) announces the shortlist
for its 2020 Awards, illuminating the vital role that classical music plays, inspiring and
empowering countless lives nationwide.
In this highly unusual year, the RPS Awards have adapted to reflect not only great achievements
up till so much music ceased in March, but remarkable musical deeds that have since emerged
in lockdown.
The shortlists revealed for 11 of the Awards illustrate the range and reach of classical music:

• Multiple nominees prove the positive social effect of classical music, empowering stroke
victims in Hull (RPO Strokestra), teenagers with mental health issues (Sound Young

Minds), and families impacted by the criminal justice system (The Lullaby Project).
• Nominees from the City of London Sinfonia to tenor Nicky Spence are especially

commended for imaginatively reinventing their approach, creating new ways to inspire
audiences in lockdown.
• Classical music abounds nationally with multiple nominees in Yorkshire (Ryedale

Festival, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, RPO Strokestra in Hull), Glasgow
(Scottish Opera, Scottish Ensemble), as well as Manchester Collective, Cheltenham

Music Festival, Garsington Opera in Buckinghamshire, and the pride of Wales: Swansea-
born soprano Natalya Romaniw.

• The 18 performers and composers shortlisted range in age from 21 (cellist Sheku
Kanneh-Mason) to 77 (composer Frank Denyer), and 33% of them are people of colour.
Today’s announcement also brings an update on a timely new award: