Liverpool Philharmonic is delighted to announce that Rob Hughes has been named the winner of the 2026–27 Rushworth Composition Prize. Rob is the 11th composer to receive the prize and will be recognised in a special concert of contemporary classical works on Wednesday 25 February at The Tung Auditorium. 

In association with The Rushworth Foundation and The Ivors Academy, the prize provides early-career composers with an exceptional range of opportunities to create new work and build long-term collaborative and creative relationships with Liverpool Philharmonic. Through initiatives such as the Rushworth Composition Prize and the work of their contemporary music group, Ensemble 10:10, Liverpool Philharmonic remains committed to supporting composers at pivotal stages in their careers and to enriching the UK’s vibrant new music landscape. 

A composer, arranger and cellist based in Manchester, Rob Hughes is emerging as one of the most exciting young voices in contemporary music. His music spans contemporary classical concert works, ambient electronic soundscapes, big band jazz and music theatre. Rob’s work Refraction premiered at King’s Place in November 2025, and he has recently collaborated on an original score for Catching My Stalker, a true-crime documentary broadcast on Channel 4 in September 2025. 

On winning the prize, Rob said: “I’m incredibly excited to be working with everyone at the Liverpool Philharmonic over the coming year, and hugely grateful for this opportunity. It’s a massive privilege to work with an organisation so dedicated to supporting the creation of new music, in a city with so much musical heritage. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the incredible musicians of Ensemble 10:10 and building connections that I will take with me for the rest of my career”. 

Zoë Armfield, Head of Learning at Liverpool Philharmonic, commented: “We are delighted to award the Prize to Rob this year. The Rushworth Composition Prize is an integral part of Liverpool Philharmonic’s support for emerging talent in the North West. Now in its 11th year, it is incredible to see the way our composers’ careers have developed and the heights they have achieved. Classical music is an important living, breathing art form and it is so important to provide a platform for new music and champion new artists from our region. 

Rob will receive a £1,000 cash prize, made possible through the support of The Rushworth Foundation, and a year’s complimentary membership of The Ivors Academy, the UK’s leading professional association for music creators - offering a range of mentoring, education and practical advice to support him in the development of his career.  

The Prize will also give Rob a unique, year-long experience to develop his talent at Liverpool Philharmonic, participating in a programme of masterclasses, workshops and mentoring sessions delivered by conductors, composers, performers and other professionals associated with Liverpool Philharmonic. The prize will culminate in the commission of new work by Rob performed by Ensemble 10:10 in the 2026/27 season, showcasing the boldest and most innovative new music being written today. 

The Rushworth Composition Prize continues to champion outstanding emerging compositional talent. Andrew Barney who received the prize last year will be premiering his new work If It Were For Peace in A Choral Celebration at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Thursday 23 April. Other alumni have gone on to achieve national recognition, including Grace-Evangeline Mason who recently premiered new work with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra. Nneka Cummins, who recently won Best Large Ensemble Composition at the Ivors Classical Awards for Finding Gills [When They Try To Drown You], Bethany Morgan Williams who received the Siemen Music Award 2026, and Carmel Smickersgill who has been commissioned for the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestras 75th Birthday on Sunday 1 March alongside BBC presenter and bassoonist Linton Stephens. 

Hear from some of our previous winners speaking about their career journey here.