These are testing times for all musicians. It’s particularly noted in the media, across all professions, how tough it is right now for those looking to establish their careers. Every year, but doubly so this year, we are pleased to be able to present a range of opportunities – each bringing significant financial support – for people taking their first steps in the music profession.

As ever, the RPS is grateful to a range of donors for making such opportunities possible. These include longstanding prizes for a solo violinist and a chamber ensemble, and funds to help musicians stretch their wings and pursue further studies overseas. Additionally, we are pleased to introduce a new prize for an individual brass player or brass ensemble, and a new initiative for young people interested in potentially finding work and opportunities by writing about classical music.

Collectively, these opportunities constitute a total of £62,000 that we look forward to granting to applicants in the coming months.

The opportunities are as follows. Thank you for sharing these with anyone you know who may benefit from them. Simply click on the titles for more information and details of how to apply:

RPS Young Classical Writers Prize – a brand new initiative, with prizes totalling £2,000, introduced to encourage young people aged 16 to 25 to further their interests in writing about classical music. The prize is dedicated to the late and much-respected classical music writer Gerald Larner. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 2 February 2021.

RPS Philip Jones Brass Prize – a brand new prize of £2,500 for individual brass players or a brass ensemble of up to 5 players of any nationality, aged between 18 and 30 and based in the UK. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 2 February 2021.

RPS Emily Anderson Prize – offering £2,500 to violinists of any nationality, aged between 18 and 30 and based in the UK. Previous recipients have included Alina Ibragimova, Benjamin Baker and Ning Feng, all before they proceeded to international recognition. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 2 February 2021.

RPS Henderson Chamber Ensemble Award – offering £5,000 to a chamber ensemble of 3 - 10 performers, in any combination of string, wind, brass, keyboard or percussion, aged between 18 and 30, to put towards their ongoing musical development. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 2 February 2021.

RPS Julius Isserlis Scholarship – up to £50,000 in total (given in grants usually ranging from £500 to £10,000) for instrumentalists to fulfil their dreams of studying overseas. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 16 February 2021.