The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Awards, hailed as the 'biggest night in UK classical music' by The Sunday Times, will take place this year in Manchester. The shortlists for these prestigious awards were revealed today, showcasing another year of diversity and excellence within classical music.

Scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, at the Royal Northern College of Music, this year's RPS Awards will be an ode to Manchester's musical prowess. Home to two of last year's winners, Manchester Collective and Manchester Camerata, Manchester is nipping at the heels of London to be the UK’s leading city of the arts. Priced from an inclusive £10, The RNCM will host the event, opening the doors for a broader demographic to enjoy the experience.

The nominees boast a plethora of musical talent across the UK, including Scottish contenders: Drake Music Scotland, Glasgow Madrigirls and tenor Nicky Spence, as well as pianist Pavel Kolesnikov, trumpeter Aaron Azunda Akugbo and conductor François-Xavier Roth, who audiences will recognise from last year’s BBC Proms.

Diversity is represented across the board, with 42% of theshortlisted performers and composers representing the global majority. Performers and composers include Cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Birmingham Opera Company’s Alpesh Chauhan, and sitar player Jasdeep Singh Degun. Ben Lunn's composition ‘History needs…’ and Drake Music Scotland's ‘Call of the Mountains’ celebrate disability within music and have each earned nominations.

In addition to the big names, the event will also include the ‘Inspiration Award’, aimed at amateur groups and decided by public vote. RPS Chief Executive James Murphy expressed his excitement on the awards being held in Manchester, saying ‘We’re so pleased to be taking the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards out of the capital for the very first time’ … ‘classical music pulses through the city’s veins’.