RNCM green initiative shortlisted in 2025 RPS Awards

We’re thrilled to announce that the RNCM has been shortlisted for a prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Award for our year-long focus on climate change and the College’s own environmental impact. 

The Future is Green is a finalist in the Series and Events category, which celebrates distinctive festivals, themed series of performances, and unique performance events. Regarded by many as the BAFTAs for classical music, the RPS Awards is classical music’s annual good news story, shining much-needed light on inspirational individuals, groups, and initiatives whose music has lifted hearts and minds across the nation. The full shortlist can be found here and winners will be announced at the RPS Awards on Thu 6 Mar at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. 

During 2023-24, The Future is Green staged more than 30 events inspired by the climate emergency and natural world, and actively sought ways to reduce the RNCM’s carbon footprint. Highlights included Nature’s Music, a one-of-a-kind takeover of Manchester Museum with unique performances across multiple gallery spaces, a reimaging of Holst’s The Planets with acclaimed musicians Delia Stevens and Will Pound, and the creation of an original opera, Silverwood, with the RNCM’s newly established Community Chorus.  

Long-term projects included the RNCM Green Fund supporting sustainable international touring and performance opportunities for students, a collaborative public discussion forum The Future is Green Working Group, and the Earth Day: A Call to Action international symposium. The initiative was originally inspired by the interests of RNCM students and the College’s mission statement to place the climate and environmental impact at the heart of its decision-making. 

Committed to a Carbon Management Plan since 2010, the RNCM is now established as a leader in integrating sustainability into the arts and, in 2024, was honoured to be nominated for the Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership.  

Professor Linda Merrick CBE, Principal of the RNCM, said: ‘By harnessing the power of the arts, we have not only raised awareness about climate change but also inspired action within our community. We sought to use our platform to spark discussion and to explore what we might achieve within our sector, together and individually, and we believe our The Future is Green initiative exemplifies the approach and outcomes that the Royal Philharmonic Society seeks to honour with its Series and Events Award. We are delighted to be shortlisted among such prestigious nominees.’ 

The RNCM, which hosted last year’s awards on its first trip outside London in 34 years, has been invited to attend this year’s ceremony. The Series and Events Award is generously supported by Warner Classics, and previous winners of the category include The Barbican, the Southbank Centre, Cheltenham International Festival, and Manchester Classical. The RNCM’s Manchester International Cello Festival also previously took home the award, in 2008. 

30 January 2025