If you’d like to talk about instigating a new venture, we would be so pleased to talk to you about creating something that has real impact, resonance and value. Please contact Harriet Wybor, our General Manager, to talk further.

RPS ENTERPRISE FUND
In the pandemic, we were so pleased to partner with our very kind friends at Harriet’s Trust who enabled us to create a fund giving £200,000 in grants to musicians at a time of acute need. It was created to recognise classical musicians’ extraordinary response to the lockdown: resiliently and generously finding ways to keep sharing what they do. New forms of creativity and connectivity were forged, and the RPS Enterprise Fund helped almost 100 individual performers and chamber music groups who’d shown enterprising spirit at this time to strengthen and transform the extents of their creativity, connectivity, profile and revenue.

RPS AUDIENCE FUND
In 2020, we were able to present the one-off RPS Audience Fund, giving classical music ensembles the means to devise fresh ways to attract, engage and retain new audiences. It was made possible with the generous support of the Rachel Baker Memorial Charity. Ensembles were invited to submit bold ideas for how they might entice new audiences to all that they do. Select recipients then received a share of the fund totalling £180,000 to enact their plans. Each ensemble was asked to account their progress, findings and outcomes online so others could learn from their steps, benefitting the wider ecology.

RPS ABO ORCHESTRA MUSICIAN AWARD
From 2012 to 2022, the RPS joined forces with the Association of British Orchestras to present an award in recognition of the extraordinary orchestral musicians working in Britain, recognising not just their wonderful performances onstage, but their devoted work in their communities and beyond. Initially this was called the Salomon Prize in recognition of violinist and RPS co-founder Johann Peter Salomon, it was renamed the RPS ABO Orchestra Musician Award to make its purpose more immediately. From 2024, the ABO changed the nature of its own ABO Awards to recognise orchestral musicians as well as management, so the spirit of this award lives on there.

RPS CHILCOTT SCHOLARSHIP
Between 2003 and 2018, the RPS Chilcott Scholarship offered funding to a British opera singer for advanced training and professional development as they embarked on their career. It was presented in memory of soprano Susan Chilcott, one of the outstanding singers of her generation, who died from cancer in 2003 aged 40. In its fifteen years, the Scholarship offered financial support to over 50 young singers totalling over £160,000.

RPS FROST PRIZE
From 2013-19, we were pleased to present the Albert and Eugenie Frost Prize, made possible by the Frost Music Trust. It provided grants to exceptional string groups in the early stages of their careers, giving them a vital boost to create performance and recording opportunities, receive expert coaching, raise their profile, and build their following.

RPS ALLIANZ INSTRUMENTAL PRIZE
Supported by Allianz Musical Insurance, the prize was created to support players of 'shortage' instruments. It was awarded for two years in 2018 and 2019, firstly to bassoonist Izabela Musial, and then to viola player Timothy Ridout, to support their professional development and to enable them to be advocates for their respective instruments.