

08 Jan 2025
We are pleased to introduce the latest recipients of our RPS Instrumental Prizes, who receive grants to help further their careers.
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 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:
Violetta Suvini | RPS Emily Anderson Violin Prize – £1,500
Irish-Italian violinist Violetta Suvini graduated in 2023 from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she held the Yfrah Neaman Memorial Scholarship and studied with Stephanie Gonley. She has won first prize at multiple international competitions and is currently a Britten Pears Young Artist.
The RPS Emily Anderson Violin Prize will help Violetta realise her goal to organise concerto appearances and recitals, presenting lesser-known works alongside core repertoire. The grant provides her with the funds to pay collaborators, as well as giving her the space to dedicate herself to studying new repertoire. Violetta said ‘I’m very grateful to the Royal Philharmonic Society for this award, which will make a huge difference to supporting my musical development over the next year and beyond.’
Lewis Chinn | RPS Philip Jones Brass Prize – £1,500
Lewis Chinn is a versatile freelance musician and multi-instrumentalist. He recently graduated with a First Class Honours degree from Trinity Laban, where he studied tuba with Les Neish and won the Gold Medal Competition and Audience Prize in 2023.
On receiving this grant, Lewis said ‘As someone who is simply excited by all things music, there are so many projects and ideas I’ve been wanting to do – this is the perfect opportunity to get started. The award will support me in purchasing equipment I need for my performance practice, whether that’s electronics or a practice mute for my tuba. It will also help me in paying accompanists and engineers for recording projects I want to do. This funding not only supports me practically, but ignites my drive and passion to forge my own musical journey. I cannot thank the RPS enough.’
Ensemble Renard | RPS Henderson Chamber Ensemble Award – £5,000
London based wind quintet Ensemble Renard have quickly emerged as one of the UK's most exciting young chamber ensembles. With a focus on curating compelling and contrasting programmes comprising works past and present, each performance they give demonstrates the kaleidoscopic versatility of the wind quintet.
Ensemble Renard will use the RPS Henderson Chamber Ensemble Award to build a catalogue comprising footage of their rehearsals and performances. This footage will enable the ensemble to approach a more diverse array of venues, and update their website and social media platforms in order for their work to become more accessible and easier to engage with. Ensemble Renard said ‘We’re so excited about our musical plans for the year ahead, and with the help of the RPS we’ll be able to share our work with more people than ever.’
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.