Some words from our Musical Director Graeme Wilson
Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society was thrilled with news of the orchestra’s shortlisting in the Inspiration category of the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026. An award chosen by public vote.
It was with enormous thanks and gratitude to everyone who voted when KOS was announced as the winner at the RPS Awards ceremony held on 12 March 2026 in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London with 900 people in attendance.
So how was it that KOS landed up in Inspiration? Well, the key is KOS. Since ever it started in 1875, it has meant that musicians have come together to do something which they enjoy, learn from and support the large body of music making in the UK.
So, it’s a huge well done to all at KOS now and in the past and, I hope, for always to come. It is a great privilege and pleasure for me to be at the musical helm but I am in no doubt that KOS members are what makes KOS what it is.
And finally, the acceptance speech given by Graeme on the night:
Thank you for this and to the public who have voted for all four groups. This is really for all four of us and the hugely important place of non-professional music making in the UK.
It was a huge surprise and an enormous privilege for Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society to be shortlisted for this award: first and foremost, thank you for that.
Congratulations to Bradford Accordion Band, Cantorion Llandrindod and Sean Chandler and Shepherd Brass Band for their involvement and for joining us on this journey.
Our orchestra draws its members from across the Kingdom of Fife as well as Perthshire and Glasgow.
Kirkcaldy sits north of Edinburgh and is known as the Lang Toun on account of its very long main street originally along the coast side.
Adam Smith was born in Kirkcaldy, linoleum was first produced there, and google the poem ‘The Boy in the Train’ for more context.
To win this award for KOS is to win for all music making groups in the country and to recognise the inspirational work undertaken weekly to provide support for and build confidence in individual musicians through the act of coming together in music. Hard to beat as an aim, and for very many, just as important as anything the doctor might prescribe.
The Italian conductor Riccardo Muti said “An orchestra (and for that, read choir, ensemble, band) is the symbol of a society, how a society should work and stay together… Let’s help the new generation toward a good future, and one of the weapons is music.”
From KOS, thank you to all who voted and all who support music.
Finally a special mention to the award sponsors Stainer and Bell, and to the RPS and those who operate their organisation and run events like this, we all say Thank you.
