Wise Music Group is delighted to share the news that the Royal Philharmonic Society have launched a new fund to support new music-making in the UK, made possible with the kind support of celebrated British composer Thea Musgrave and her husband, the conductor Peter Mark.
The RPS Thea Musgrave Fund launches this month, April 2025, with the introduction of two new initiatives which have been devised with Thea and Peter for which music-makers can apply.
RPS THEA MUSGRAVE COMPOSITION GRANTS
Throughout Thea’s career, she has treasured having dedicated time to shape ideas with musicians. The RPS is now set to offer several grants to support established composers writing a new work for soloist, duo, or chamber ensemble – not only contributing to their commission, but within each grant vitally giving them and their intended performers some means to devote focused workshop and rehearsal time to its creation. This year, the fund will offer a total of £20,000 in grants for this, likely split between 2 or 3 composers. Click here to find out more.
RPS THEA MUSGRAVE PERFORMANCE GRANTS
Thea’s remarkable catalogue of compositions spans decades and is a veritable treasure trove for performers and programmers. Following the huge success of her Mary, Queen of Scots staged by the ENO in February 2025, we are committed to encouraging more musicians and musical organisations to delve in, discover and embrace Thea’s works, and share them with UK audiences. This initiative will offer several grants to help performers, ensembles, festivals and venues to put Thea’s music at the heart of their UK programming, and distinctively promote it to captivate audiences. This year, there will be £20,000 in grants for this, likely split between 2 or 3 recipients. Click here to find out more.
The closing date for applications for these grants is 11am on Tuesday July 1 2025.
Thea Musgrave says:
'Given the vital support RPS has given me – like so many others early in their careers – I am truly gratified to be able to collaborate with its dedicated team to support the important work the RPS has been doing for over 200 years. I hope to help expand its focus in ways that have motivated and developed my own skills as a composer throughout my career. Not only have I experimented with and developed new aspects of notation for the individual freedoms and dramatic interactions of players; my works have benefitted greatly from the personal knowledge and expertise that extraordinary soloists have for their instruments. We are creating this new RPS fund to share as well as foster these aspects of composition that have been so important for me.'
RPS Chief Executive James Murphy comments:
'Still composing at 96, Thea Musgrave is a national treasure. The RPS has enjoyed a creative association with Thea dating back decades. It’s our great honour to collaborate with her and Peter on establishing this major new fund, sure to ignite exciting creative opportunities nationwide. As a charity always seeking new ways to support musicians, we are dearly grateful to Thea and Peter for this gesture. We have cherished all the imagination and energy they have brought to our planning together, and look forward to drawing on their expertise and passion to help bring new musical ventures to life.'
