Prizewinners Announced at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2024

Prizewinners included composers Illia Razumeiko and Roman Grigoriv, Kaija Saariaho, the Irene Taylor Trust, and the BBC Singers

The 2024 edition of the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards took place at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music on March 5, marking the first time that the ceremony has been held outside of London. The event opened with a performance of Keiko Abe’s Conversation in the Forest, played by percussionists from all of Manchester's professional ensembles.

The Opera and Music Theatre Award went to Ukrainian composers Illia Razumeiko and Roman Grigoriv for their opera Chornobyldorf, with a special mention to the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival— which had brought the whole Ukrainian cast and company of the opera to Yorkshire for the work's UK premiere.

The Gamechanger Award went to the Irene Taylor Trust and Artistic Director Sara Lee, in recognition of their work using music to help and empower people affected by the criminal justice system and in marginalized areas of society.

The Ensemble Award went to the BBC Singers, following their year of incredible resilience and artistry in the face of devastating cuts. One of the choir's tenors, Nicky Spence, also received the Singer Award — and performed a Noël Coward number alongside pianist Dylan Perez.

"Too often this year, the story of classical music has been one of funding cuts and shrinking provision," said John Gilhooly, Chairman of the RPS. "Tonight we present a true picture of classical music’s quality, impact and radiance across the UK."

"This year’s RPS Awards winners are representative of music-makers nationwide, who – in challenging times – keep giving the very best of themselves for the benefit of others. We are proud to shine a light on their achievements, and hope it leads to greater recognition and pride for all that they collectively do."

The full list of recipients includes:

Chamber-Scale Composition: Laurence Osborn – TOMB!

Conductor: François-Xavier Roth

Ensemble: BBC Singers

Gamechanger: Sara Lee and the Irene Taylor Trust

Impact: Call of the Mountains – Clare Johnston and Drake Music Scotland

Inspiration: Derwent Brass

Instrumentalist: Jasdeep Singh Degun – sitar

Large-Scale Composition: Kaija Saariaho – Innocence

Opera and Music Theatre: Chornobyldorf – Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival

Series and Events: Manchester Classical

Singer: Nicky Spence – tenor

Storytelling: Quartet – Leah Broad

Young Artist: Lotte Betts-Dean – mezzo soprano