Classical music is an international profession and musicians can benefit hugely from time spent studying abroad, seeking fresh perspectives and drawing inspiration from different cultures. The RPS offers students the life-changing opportunity to study abroad, be it to take lessons from a specialist based overseas or to fulfil a course at an international music school or university. Musicians who have previously benefitted include the celebrated pianist Sir Stephen Hough when he was just 19, enabling him to study at The Juilliard School in New York, and Imogen Whitehead, who was recently appointed Principal Trumpet of Britten Sinfonia.

This is made possible thanks to the RPS Julius Isserlis Scholarship with funds generously bequeathed to the RPS by Cecilia Helen Northcote some decades ago. At her wish, the scholarship is dedicated to the inspirational Russian pianist, composer and teacher Julius Isserlis.

Amongst this year’s recipients is cellist Clare Juan, who used her scholarship to study with renowned cello professor Leonid Gorokhov at Sommermusik im Oberen Nagoldtal in Germany this Summer. She said ‘The RPS Julius Isserlis Scholarship has helped me to meet so many like-minded students in Europe and also enabled me to maintain my relationship with Professor Leonid Gorokhov. I hugely admire his unique outlook on how to play the cello efficiently and I have learnt so much from him. Thank you to the Members of the Royal Philharmonic Society, as without the support of the RPS, I would never have been able to attend this course.’

This year’s recipients are as follows. Click on each name to find out more about their musical experience and to find out more about how RPS is helping them study abroad.

Clare Juan to study cello at the Sommermusik course in Oberen Nagold
Jamie Reid to study tenor trombone at the Folkwang Universität der Künste, Essen
Lucy Barratt to study piano at the Koninklijk Conservatorium, Brussels
Owen Putter to study piano at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, Budapest
Samuel Bullamore Brown to study bass trombone at the Hochschule der Künste, Bern
Sophie Kauer to study cello at the Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo

Applications for the next round of RPS Julius Isserlis Scholarships will be announced in mid-November 2024 on our website.

The Royal Philharmonic Society – a registered charity – has been at the heart of music for over 200 years, creating opportunities for musicians to excel, and championing the vital role that music plays in all our lives.

Through our programme of grants, commissions, professional development and performance opportunities, we help many performers and composers overcome barriers to progress and fulfil their potential. Through the annual RPS Awards – described this year by The Sunday Times as ‘the biggest night in UK classical music’ – we celebrate musical accomplishments UK-wide and tell a vital story of what music-makers do for the benefit of others. Through RPS Membership and our new talks and events, we aim to cultivate greater pride and curiosity in classical music. Through all our endeavours, we are dedicated to proving classical music’s rightful and powerful place in society.

To discover more about how you can join our cause to support musicians and champion classical music, click here.