SCOTTISH classical music companies and two of the country's leading composers are in the running for the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards.

Both Scottish Opera and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (SSO) have been shortlisted twice for the RPS awards, with the BBC SSO in the running for best ensemble and best concerts series.

Scottish Opera has been shortlisted for the RPS Music Award for Learning and Participation for its work with Gartnavel General Hospital Cystic Fibrosis service and the Glasgow-based opera company is also shortlisted for the award for audiences for its 50 Venues for 50 Years Tour.

Sally Beamish and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies are also shortlisted for awards: Beamish for Flodden, which was premiered by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Maxwell Davies for his Oboe Quartet, which was premiered by the Hebrides Ensemble.

The BBC SSO has recently completed a tour of India for the first time, with violinist Nicola Benedetti and the composer James MacMillan.

Scottish Opera have recently announced that Sir Thomas Allen is its new Music Adviser while the company searches for a new permanent music director.

Winners of the annual prizes will be announced on May 13. There are 13 categories overall.

John Gilhooly, chairman of the Royal Philharmonic Society, said: "The awards stand for integrity, commitment, enquiry and excellence.

"The shortlists reveal a rich vein of musical talent and a willingness to engage audiences in invigorating ways: concerts in unusual locations; bold programming for all ages; uncompromising musicality."