Royal Philharmonic Society awards £81,500 to young musicians

31 July 2013, 19:32

Composers, music students and instrumentalists all awarded grants to aid further study and music-making in tough economic times.

Young musicians across the country are being encouraged to make music with a series of charitable grants from the Royal Philharmonic Society. The awards, totally £81,5000, celebrate and support musicians at the beginning of their careers.

Six composers under the age of 29 have been selected to write new works for the Society, as part of their annual composition prize. It's not just young composers being recognised: two instrumentalists have been awarded the Julius Isserlis Scholarship, which allows them to fund their studies abroad, and 21 young students will benefit from grants to help them buy instruments.

Rosemary Johnson, Executive Director of the Royal Philharmonic Society, explained how difficult it is becoming for young people to make music, with the rise of tuition fees and the challenges of the economic climate.

"If classical music is to have a healthy, vibrant future, then we all need to support talented young musicians," she said. "In making these awards, the Royal Philharmonic Society recognises this, but in doing so, we are also painfully aware that need far outstrips the small amount we can offer."

Picture: RPS directors and the Schaller Beethoven Bust from 1871