Applications for the RPS Thea Musgrave Fund have now closed, but guidelines remain here for reference. 

At the Royal Philharmonic Society, we cherish composers and the music they give to the world. For over 200 years, we have supported composers to write music that inspires performers and audiences. In this, we have enjoyed a particularly happy association with the composer Thea Musgrave whose groundbreaking Clarinet Concerto the RPS commissioned in 1968, and whom we presented RPS Honorary Membership in 2022 in recognition of her remarkable musical achievements.

With support from Thea and her husband, the conductor Peter Mark, we are delighted to be launching a new fund in Thea’s name, with which we are set to support more composers and performers dedicated to contemporary music.

We invite you to discover more about Thea and Peter and their remarkable achievements and musical life together by clicking here.

We are launching the RPS Thea Musgrave Fund in 2025 with two new initiatives for which you can apply, detailed below. The closing date for applications for these grants this year is Tuesday 1 July 2025. We are looking forward to evolving and expanding these initiatives with Thea and Peter in the years ahead.

We are also grateful to Thea and Peter for putting some of the fund towards the new commission that Scottish composer Lisa Robertson is writing as part of the 2025 RPS Composers programme.

RPS THEA MUSGRAVE COMPOSITION GRANTS
Throughout Thea’s career, she has treasured having dedicated time to shape ideas with musicians. We are newly set to offer several grants to support established composers writing a new work for an established solo performer, duo, or chamber ensemble – not only contributing to their commission, but within each grant vitally giving them and their intended performers some means to devote focused workshop and rehearsal time to its creation. This year, we expect to offer a total of £20,000 in grants for this, likely split between 2 or 3 composers. 

Click here to find out more about the RPS Thea Musgrave Composition Grants. 

RPS THEA MUSGRAVE PERFORMANCE GRANTS
Thea’s remarkable catalogue of compositions spans decades and is a veritable treasure trove for performers and programmers. Following the huge success of her Mary, Queen of Scots staged by the ENO in February 2025, we are committed to encouraging more musicians and musical organisations to delve in, discover and embrace Thea’s works, and share them with UK audiences. We are newly set to offer several grants to help performers, ensembles, festivals and venues to put Thea’s music at the heart of their UK programming, and distinctively promote it to captivate audiences. This year, we expect to offer a total of £20,000 in grants for this, likely split between 2 or 3 recipients. 

Click here to find out more about the RPS Thea Musgrave Performance Grants.