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be decided by the public. The Inspiration Award was newly introduced last year for
those who brightly inspired the nation in the first months of lockdown, commending
professional and non-professional musicians alike. This year – and from now on –
the RPS will present the award outright to a non-professional ensemble or to an
individual who works with such groups, in recognition of the remarkable
constellation of such music-makers, often overlooked. A shortlist of six has been
assembled by a panel who themselves work year-round with non-professional
groups and, from these, the public is invited to vote for whom they feel should
receive this year’s award.
The six shortlisted nominees are:

▪ Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra and Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra
▪ Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra, Berkshire
▪ Hilary Campbell and Bristol Choral Society
▪ Orkney Winter Choir and Orkney Camerata
▪ South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus
▪ Themba Mvula and Lichfield Gospel Choir

The closing date for votes is 11 am on Thursday 30 September. To cast your vote
visit www.royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk.

The winners of all thirteen categories will be announced at the 2021 RPS Awards at
Wigmore Hall, London, at 7.30 pm on Monday 1 November. The event will be
presented in a new and refreshed format that will enable more music lovers and
music-makers to join in the festivities. Tickets will be available at a vastly reduced
price ranging from £16 – 30. As well as revealing the winners of this year’s awards,
the presentation will also feature live musical performances from special guest
artists, including some of this year’s nominees.

Also announced today, from this year onwards the awards will take place at a
different UK classical music venue each year, and from 2023 the RPS commits to
presenting them for the first time at a venue outside London.

RPS Chief Executive James Murphy says: ‘Some people have asked us if there’s been
sufficient music to celebrate with the RPS Awards this year. Brace yourselves for a
story of tremendous resilience, creativity, and musicians finding ways against all the
odds to inspire others. We’re so pleased to applaud the countless non-professional
musicians across the country through the new Inspiration Award, and welcome the
music-loving public to join in the festivities as never before, casting their vote for the
Inspiration Award and joining us for the Awards celebration, for which tickets have
never been cheaper.’

Shortlisted nominees in the other categories will be announced in late September
on BBC Radio 3, longstanding RPS Awards Partner.