Iohan Coman, recipient of the 2023 RPS Emily Anderson Prize

RPS Emily Anderson Violin Prize

The RPS Emily Anderson Prize gives a grant of £1,500 for an outstanding solo violinist to support their development over the year ahead.

Applications for the 2024 RPS Emily Anderson Prize have now closed. Information and guidelines remain on this page for those who have applied. Applications will reopen in May 2025.

This prize was established in the 1960s following a gift to the RPS in the Will of Emily Anderson, celebrated editor and translator of the letters of Mozart and Beethoven. Click here for its list of winners since 1967.

The 2023 recipient of the prize is Iohan Coman. Read Iohan's story and find out how we are supporting him.

Who is it open to?

Solo violinists of any nationality based in the UK throughout 2024-25, aged between 18 and 30 at the application closing date.

We are continually striving to address how we can minimise barriers to the widest possible range of applicants and are proud to have adopted Sound and Music's Fair Access Principles. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented demographics, such as those who are Black, Asian and ethnically diverse, those who are working class and those who are disabled. If you sense that anything in these guidelines could deter you or another eligible candidate from applying, or if there’s anything you’d like to talk to us about, please do get in touch, using the contact details below. We would be happy to hear from you.

Key Dates

The closing date for applications is 11am on Wednesday 2 October 2024. As noted above, applications are now closed for this year, and will reopen in May 2025.

We will be in touch with all applicants in mid-October, inviting those shortlisted to audition. Auditions are set to take place in London on Sunday 17 November 2024. If you are applying, we recommend you pencil that date in your diary now, as we will not have scope to offer alternative audition dates.

We aim to let auditionees know the outcome within a few days.

How can I apply?

Applications should be submitted via the online form linked at the bottom of this page. Before applying, please take time to read the Prize's guidelines and criteria - linked below - and continue to consult them throughout the process. If you have any further queries about any part of the process not addressed in the guidelines below or wish to speak to a member of the RPS team, please get in touch with us. We also warmly welcome feedback about our application process and are keen to hear from anyone who may have identified potential barriers to applying. If you have any further questions, please contact us on admin@philharmonicsociety.uk or 020 7287 0019.