The Orkney Winter Choir and Orkney Camerata have been shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Inspiration Award – the first ever public-voted RPS Award which invites the public to choose the winner of the award for the most inspirational musical achievements by non-professional ensembles across the UK.

Voting is open and closes on 30 September. Click on this link to vote: RPS Awards

The Inspiration Award was newly introduced last year for those who brightly inspired the nation in the first months of lockdown, commending professional and non-professional musicians alike.

This year – and from now on – the RPS will present the award outright to a non-professional ensemble or to an individual who works with such groups, in recognition of the remarkable constellation of such music-makers, often overlooked.

A shortlist of six has been assembled by a panel who themselves work year-round with non-professional groups and, from these, the public is invited to vote for whom they feel should receive this year’s award.

The Orkney contingent is up against 5 other superb orchestras and choral groups

The six shortlisted nominees are as follows. Click each for a flavour of what makes them particularly special and what they have achieved in the last year:

• Aberdeen Saxophone Orchestra and Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra
• Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra
• Hilary Campbell and Bristol Choral Society
• Orkney Winter Choir and Orkney Camerata
• South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus
• Themba Mvula and Lichfield Gospel Choir

Individuals may only cast one vote each.

The closing date for votes is 11am on Thursday 30 September.

The winner will be announced at the RPS Awards Presentation at Wigmore Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 1 November.

RPS Chief Executive James Murphy said:

“The six shortlistees are representative of literally thousands of groups nationally who have inventively, resourcefully, resiliently found ways to keep making music together through the pandemic, not only keeping their own spirits bright but cheering their localities too. “