Since 1989, The Royal Philharmonic Society’s annual awards have celebrated the power of classical music and inspirational individuals, groups and initiatives from the past year. With over 850 attendees, this year’s ceremony took place on 12 March at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre. The Academy were proud to have been represented by alumni and current teaching staff in four of the 13 awards presented.

2018 jazz graduate Jacob Collier was presented with the Gamechanger Award (supported by I Can Compose). New to the RPS Awards in 2019, the Gamechanger Award is specially presented by the RPS Board and Council for transformative work in the classical music industry. Multi award-winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Jacob Collier boasts numerous achievements in his career so far, including six Grammy wins, and 15 nominations. Jacob closed the awards ceremony with a live performance.

"Jacob is a true 21st century gamechanger. In everything he does, he casts open the inner-workings of music, showing us how it’s made. He illuminates the musician in all of us."

RPS Chair Angela Dixon, via the RPS website

The RPS Young Artist Award was awarded to trumpeter Matilda Lloyd, who graduated from the Academy in 2019. The Young Artist award recognises the outstanding quality and scope of the work of early career artists. Matilda has seen many successes in her career so far; she has won many prizes at international music competitions, regularly performs alongside notable orchestras, and released her debut album in April 2023.

The Academy’s Henry Wood Chair of Conducting John Wilson won the Conductor Award, an award supported by Chandos Records, for his work as Artistic Director of the Sinfonia of London including their sell-out concerts and chart-topping albums. In 2019, he was awarded the ISM Distinguished Musician and in 2021 for his services to music.

Peter Moore, Professor of Tenor Trombone, also saw success yesterday evening, taking home the Instrumentalist Award, supported by The Early Music Shop. Peter is the first trombonist to be awarded this prize. He has performed with Europe’s leading orchestras, given recitals at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, and is the former Principal Trombone, and youngest ever player, of the London Symphony Orchestra.

A film of the RPS Awards will be available to watch on the RPS website from Thursday 19 March.

The Academy offers congratulations to Jacob, Matilda, Peter and John for their recognition by the classical music industry.