Reflecting the many, and increasing, practical and artistic needs of music students and nascent professionals, the RPS Young Musicians Programme provides wide-ranging support including: assistance with the purchase of instruments, enabling British instrumentalists to study abroad, support for outstanding young string players and organists, further study opportunity for singers, mentoring by leading classical artists for exceptional musicians at the start of their professional careers and support for young composers through special commissions.

£26K has been given to students at conservatoires in desperate need of an instrument to complete their studies, while outstanding young string players have been recognised through two special awards supported by the Albert and Eugenie Frost Music Trust. The Linos Piano Trio becomes the second recipient of the RPS Albert and Eugenie Frost Prize. 22-year-old violinist Maria Włoszczowska has won the RPS Emily Anderson Prize for young violinists, whose previous winners include Alina Ibragimova and So-Ock Kim. Selected following recent YCAT Trust auditions, the Linos Piano Trio will receive £5,000 towards professional development, and Maria Włoszczowska will receive £2,500.

In addition, two distinguished performers, Angelika Kirchschlager and pianist Anne Queffélec, will work with two young musicians, mezzo-soprano Anna Huntley, and pianist Clare Hammond as part of the RPS/YCAT Philip Langridge Mentoring Scheme to further the professional development of outstanding young musicians.

This year, applications for the RPS Young Musicians Programme far outstripped available resources. For example, the RPS Barbirolli Fund, which offers financial assistance to help music students purchase their own instruments while undertaking their professional studies, was able to meet the needs of fewer than a quarter of the students who applied.

Rosemary Johnson, Executive Director of the Royal Philharmonic Society comments:

“The Royal Philharmonic Society, through its Young Musicians Programme, has built a clear picture of the outstanding musical talent that is emerging in the UK and the increasing challenges that face them. The reality is stark: there are many music students who are unable to afford the very tools of the trade – quality instruments – and young professionals whose professional development is in danger of atrophy through lack of funding for further study, and the time and space that is essential for musical growth.

The RPS, with the support of our enlightened donors and trusts and, for the first time, individuals who have subscribed to our recent crowd-funding scheme “Text TUBA99”, is doing all it can to help, but we want to do more, and with greater resources, are well placed to do so. So, my plea is simple: if you love music, please give to the next generation. Donate to the RPS’s Young Musicians Programme so that music will continue to thrive now, and in the future. Your money will be well spent!”

► Read the press release
► Find out more about our support for Young Musicians

8 July 2014