Alumni Andrew Gourlay, Christine Rice and Mark Simpson have been shortlisted for RPS Music Awards.
Andrew, a former Hallé Assistant Conductor, has been shortlisted as a potential RPS Young Artist, while mezzo-soprano Christine, who has performed with leading opera companies worldwide, appears in the Singer category, and JRNCM alumnus Mark, the BBC Philharmonic’s Composer in Association, competes for a Chamber Scale Composition award for his piece Hommage à Kurtag.
The annual RPS Music Awards, presented in association with Radio 3, are the highest recognition for live classical music in the UK. Divided into 13 categories, they honour musicians, composers, writers, broadcasters and inspirational arts organisations.
John Gilhooly, Chairman of the RPS said: ‘This year, the RPS Music Awards jurors were struck by the depth of quality and imagination of artists and organisations from right across the country, and the wealth of nominations we received from all areas of the UK reflects this. The shortlists are fizzing with energy, ambition and invention. They celebrate not just musical excellence, but a very tangible pioneering artistic spirit: outstanding musicians and organisations who want to share and encourage musical excellence, investigate new creative avenues and to see music make a real difference to the world we live in. In short, the shortlists celebrate great music, happening in the moment – the essence of what makes live music so special. Congratulations to them all.’
RPS Music Award winners will be announced at a ceremony on Tuesday 9 May at The Brewery in the City of London, hosted by Radio 3’s Andrew McGregor and Sarah Walker. The winners trophies will be presented by RNCM alumnus Stephen Hough, who has a long association with the Society (in 1980 he won the first RPS Julius Isserlis Prize, enabling him to study abroad at the Juilliard School of Music in New York).
