Each year we support talented early-career musicians who wish to invest considerable time and dedication to developing their musicianship and sharing the joys of classical music with audiences. With the help of generous individuals, we offer the RPS Instrumental Prizes to instrumentalists and chamber groups to support their progress as they embark on their careers.

Since the 1960s, the RPS Emily Anderson Violin Prize has supported solo violinists, following a gift to the RPS in the Will of Emily Anderson, celebrated editor and translator of the letters of Mozart and Beethoven. Taking its name from the renowned trumpeter Philip Jones CBE, the RPS Philip Jones Brass Prize recognises new talents arising who may proceed to make a positive difference to brass-playing in the UK. The RPS Henderson Chamber Ensemble Award, created by RPS Fellows Charles and Rachel Henderson, supports UK-based chamber ensembles seeking to establish a career and develop the scope of the ensemble’s repertoire.

The outstanding musicians we will be supporting this year are:

Olwen Miles | RPS Emily Anderson Violin Prize – £1,500

As a soloist, Olwen has performed at Wigmore Hall and as a concerto soloist across the UK and Europe. Her orchestral leadership includes numerous appearances as leader of the Royal Academy Symphony Orchestra, where she is currently studying for a Master’s degree. Since 2022, she has been a member of the Regency String Quartet, First Prize winners of the 2025 Royal Overseas League Competition and Kirckman Concert Society Artists.

The RPS Emily Anderson Violin Prize will enable Olwen to focus on her musical growth, and pursue long-term goals and ambitions. She is planning new collaborations with composers and performers, sharing music that she passionately believes deserves more space and recognition. Olwen said ‘I am extremely grateful to have been awarded the RPS Emily Anderson Violin Prize. Receiving this prize is both an honour and a source of great encouragement and will have a significant impact on my progress and future as a violinist.’

FiveBy5 | RPS Philip Jones Brass Prize – £2,500

Formed in October 2022 at the Royal Academy of Music, trumpet quintet Fiveby5 has a mission to innovate brass chamber music performances. Programming original music, new arrangements, and repertoire from their Swedish, Ukrainian, and UK roots, Fiveby5 have performed extensively in the UK and abroad. They are dedicated to expanding the original repertoire for trumpet quintets and have premiered two new works by Royal Academy of Music composer Archie John. They recently they received a new commission from composer Britta Byström funded by Radio Sweden.

The RPS Philip Jones Brass Prize will enable FiveBy5 to work closely with Britta Byström on the new commission, culminating in a concert tour in Sweden. The ensemble said ‘We hope this project will encourage other composers to think about writing music for our ensemble of five trumpets, as we look to continue expanding our original repertoire. We are incredibly grateful to the RPS for awarding us with the RPS Philip Jones Brass Prize and look forward to being associated with this wonderful organisation.’

Astatine Trio | RPS Henderson Chamber Ensemble Award – £5,000

Astatine Trio are an award-winning piano trio, recently named as BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists. They are Hans Keller Chamber Fellows at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and are a resident ensemble at ProQuartet – Centre Européen de Musique de Chambre in Paris. From 2022-25 the trio benefited from the mentorship of legendary pianist Alfred Brendel, at his personal invitation. Currently, they are being mentored by Anthony Marwood through ChamberStudio, where they are Fellows for 2025-26, and are a member ensemble of the European Chamber Academy.

On receiving the Award, they said ‘We are so honoured to have been awarded the RPS Henderson Chamber Ensemble Award this year! The funds will enable us to invest in our studies and development as a group, something we feel is incredibly important, as well as bringing to life passion projects which we have wanted to explore for a while. These include a celebration of Beethoven's bicentenary in 2027, concerts exploring the relationship between the trios of Wolfgang Rihm and Robert Schumann and, in the longer term, a chamber music festival in our hometown of Brighton. We're so excited to start working on all these plans thanks to this generous help from the RPS and the Henderson family and couldn't be more grateful for their support!’
 

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 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 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.