Page 68 - Final_RPS Awards 2020 Media Coverage Book

Ensemble received the Ensemble Award for their innovation and international

reach in their 50th birthday year.

The PRS for Music supported award for Concert Series and Events went to

Kings Place’s year-long Venus Unwrapped celebrating female artists; Andrea C.

Martin, CEO, PRS for Music said of the winner: 'A huge congratulations from all

of us at PRS for Music to Kings Place on winning the Concert Series and Events

category. The spectacular Venus Unwrapped series showcased everything from

classical to electronica, jazz to folk and contemporary to comedy. The series

illuminated the often overlooked work of female composers throughout history

and the invaluable contribution they have on our cultural identity and values.'

Internationally-revered composer John Williams was awarded this year’s RPS

Gold Medal, recognising outstanding musicianship since 1870. He has

dedicated his life to ensuring orchestral music continues to speak to and

captivate millions of people worldwide. Accepting the medal via video, Williams

said: ‘To receive this award is beyond any expectation I could possibly have. For

any composer to be able to devote his or her life entirely to the composition of

music is very fortunate indeed. I’d like to thank our musicians of our great

orchestras in London and in the United States with whom I’ve worked so happily

for so many years.’

Director Steven Spielberg sent his congratulations in a video recorded

especially for the RPS, saying: ‘John, you have brought the classical idiom to

young people all over the world through your scores, and through your classical

training and your classical sensibilities. You are in the DNA of the musical

culture of today.’