Current Recipients
In 2026, the Royal Philharmonic Society awarded over £12,000 of RPS Instrument Purchase Grants to 19 students from nine music colleges throughout the UK.
It’s a startling fact that many music students are embarking on their professional training without an instrument worthy of their talents. Too often students are held back by the limitations of their instruments, hugely impacting their progress. Each year, we provide RPS Instrument Purchase Grants to young musicians who have succeeded in attaining a place at music college but don’t own an adequate instrument. Unlike many schemes, this is not a loan: it’s a grant that we do not expect to be repaid, recognising the many financial challenges that young musicians face.
In 2026, our RPS Instrument Purchase Grant recipients are:
Ash Briggs flute
Asha Kroll clarinet
Charlie Gibson violin
Daniel Antat congas
Emily Hill cello
Esther Kallow cor anglais
Grayson Fleming snare drum
Isla Gordon tenor saxophone
Kyran Russell electro-acoustic guitar
Leo Pollitt tuba
Louise Turnbull violin bow
Olta Luli flute
Riana Tam viola bow
Sacha Neugarten double bass
Serena Williams tenor horn
Shesh Abu-Jabir tambourine
Tristan Jacobs double bass
Tristan Ng alto saxophone
Yuval Avni tuba
RPS Instrument Purchase Grants were principally established with funds from the Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Foundation. Today, they continue with generous support from The Parnell Trust, in memory of Alan Charles Parnell, and from the 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust, Andor Charitable Trust, Hobson Charity, Thriplow Charitable Trust, and RPS Members.
Every year, the Instrument Purchase Grants remain our most over-subscribed fund. We would dearly like to enable more young people acquire the instrument they really need to progress. If you would like to help us to help more young musicians, please contact us or find out more about supporting the RPS here.