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music’s power to inspire and enrich countless lives nationwide and those who
work tirelessly to bring music into communities and to new audiences.

This year, in addition to the usual categories whose winners are chosen by expert
independent panels, for the very first time the winner of the Inspiration Award will 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 11am 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 7.30pm 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.