Last week, I had the honour of attending one of the most prestigious events in the classical music world: the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Awards. Held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the Southbank in London, and hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Georgia Mann and Petroc Trelawny (below), the atmosphere was thick with anticipation and the palpable energy of shared artistic passion.
This year, I Can Compose was once again thrilled to be the proud sponsors of the ‘Gamechanger Award’, a category dedicated to celebrating individuals or organisations who are truly pushing the boundaries and shaping the future of music.
As we all know, the landscape of music is constantly evolving. For those of us in music education, this evolution isn’t just about new genres or technologies; it’s about nurturing creativity, fostering inclusivity, and empowering the next generation of music makers to find their unique voice. This resonates deeply with the core mission of I Can Compose.
Credit: Mark Allan Photography
Gamechanger Award: A celebration of innovation
The ‘Gamechanger Award’ was created to recognise those who are challenging the status quo, breaking down barriers, and opening up new possibilities in the world of music.
Jacob Collier is undoubtedly a gamechanger in the truest sense of the word. His unique blend of multi-instrumental virtuosity, genre-defying composition, and infectious enthusiasm has captured the hearts and minds of music lovers worldwide.
After receiving his award, Jacob began improvising at the piano and with his voice. He then stirred the whole audience to start singing – a fitting end to the show.
Credit: Mark Allan Photography
Award winners
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners announced on the night:
- Singer Award: Louise Alder
- Conductor Award: John Wilson
- Large-scale Composition Award: Festen by Mark-Anthony Turnage
- Chamber-scale Composition Award: Fever by Claudia Molitor
- Instrumentalist Award: Peter Moore (trombonist)
- Young Artist Award: Matilda Lloyd (trumpet)
- Inspiration Award: Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society
- Ensemble Award: Royal Scottish National Orchestra
- Impact Award: Orchestras for All
- Series & Events Award: Southbank Centre (for Multitudes Festival)
- Storytelling Award: Everything We Do Is Music by Elizabeth Alker
- Opera & Music Theatre Award: Uprising by Jonathan Dove
- Gamechanger Award: Jacob Collier
A film of the whole RPS Awards presentation will be freely available to watch on the RPS website from Thursday 19 March 2026 and you can read more about the event here.
