The RPS Young Classical Writers Prize aims to inspire young people to put pen to paper and voice their passions and opinions on music, in a personal and expressive way. The Prize is made possible thanks to a kind gift left to the RPS in the Will of classical music writer Gerald Larner. He wrote extensively for The Times and The Guardian and produced one of the definitive biographies of the composer Ravel.

This year our guest panellists are Erica Jeal, a music journalist for The Guardian and Deputy Editor of Opera magazine, and Stephen Johnson, a regular broadcaster for BBC Radio 3, Radio 4 and World Service and a music journalist for publications including the Independent, The Guardian and BBC Music Magazine.

We’re always captivated by so many great entries and the range of classical music that young people are inspired to write about. We congratulate everyone who entered and encourage them all to keep writing. The winning entries this year are:

First prize: Harriet Hillier – Two Goodbyes: Vaughan Williams, Mahler, and Saying Farewell
19-year-old Harriet, a bassoon player and student at Manchester University, captured in words a deeply personal musical experience – the occasion of her grandfather’s funeral – moving us all to award her this year’s First Prize. She receives £500 and the opportunity to write for a major classical music organisation later this year.

Second prize: Darasimi Ibironke – Quiet Fire
16-year-old Darasimi is a sixth-form student and a Youth Parliament representative, and plays the acoustic guitar. She receives second prize of £250 for her poetic piece depicting her discovery of classical music, particularly the music of Chopin, and its power to support mental health.

Third prize: Jack Marley – Provocative silence – reflections on performing John Cage’s 4’33”
20-year-old Jack is a saxophonist and arts journalist, who recently graduated from Cambridge University. He receives £100 for his insightful and reflective writing exploring the unique and vulnerable experience of performing John Cage's 4'33''.

If you’re a young person with a love of classical music, you may like to enter when we re-open applications in 2026. This year’s terms remain on our website here to give you a flavour of what’s required. Follow our social media @RoyalPhilSoc for further details and keep writing about the music you love.

Without Gerald Larner’s gesture, we would not be able to present the RPS Young Classical Writers Prize. If, like Gerald, you may like to do something that fosters future engagement with classical music, and – if you wish – allies your name to it, we would be so pleased to talk further. You can get in touch by emailing our Programme Manager, Cathy Hare, on members@philharmonicsociety.uk.

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 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, click here.