The Society was founded in 1813 by a group of musicians who wanted to share their art with a wider public, establishing a regular concert culture, building a repertory, and drawing great artists from overseas, making the UK an essential destination for classical music. To this day, the Society helps musicians make their mark through grants, commissions, mentoring, courses and performance opportunities, and shines a light on musical achievements across the country with the RPS Awards.

The nation is alive with music, and we are keen to do more – in the spirit of our founders – to foster greater curiosity and pride in Britain’s thriving classical heritage.

New RPS Membership brings a range of benefits not previously offered. Central to this will be a new series of talks and events featuring personalities devoted to classical music, sharing in their own words why classical music matters. In this, the RPS intends in the coming years to reflect all aspects of musical life, giving a platform to unsung heroes nationwide as well as celebrated artists – music lovers and music makers, amateur and professional, all playing their part in making Britain ‘philharmonic’.

The first season of events, from Autumn 2019 to Spring 2020, gives you the opportunity to see such artists as Sir Thomas Allen and conductor John Wilson, Dame Sarah Connolly and harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani, Sir John Tomlinson and soprano Nadine Benjamin, in conversation with each other. Uniquely, a host of performers – including baritone Roderick Williams OBE and pianist Joanna MacGregor CBE, and tenor Nicky Spence and pianist Iain Burnside – invite you into the rehearsal room to reveal how music finds its way from the score to the stage. Nicola Benedetti CBE will also give a major speech on music education in Britain. All talks will be filmed for Members anywhere in the world to view in our exclusive Members Area online. Two talks already filmed and set for release online this month include Kadiatu and Stuart Kanneh-Mason, parents of star cellist Sheku, sharing the story of how they have raised an extraordinary musical family, and inspirational teacher Jimmy Rotheram on transforming a Yorkshire primary school with the power of music. We’ll also be inviting members to share your own discoveries with us and why classical music matters to you.

If you are already a Member of the RPS, you’ll be receiving a personalised letter in the post and full details of what this means for you. If you’re not yet a Member, we hope you may be inspired to join.

Read on for details of all that RPS Membership offers and how to join.