Winners 2019

Outstanding Musical Initiative

Winner: Full Circle Community Opera, Newham Music


Taking place over 2 years, Full Circle involved 8 primary/ secondary schools and their communities, participating together in a fully inclusive, intergenerational, community-based project.

Outstanding Print Resource

Winner: Play Guitar with Miloš


By Miloš Karadaglić, published by Schott Music. Tips and tricks from Miloš, simplified versions of guitar classics, exercises and ‘chord corners’, all specially selected to improve technique.

Outstanding Digital/Technological Resource

Winner: Charanga Take-off! for Band


An innovative interactive digital beginner band method for 16 instruments, based on the Take-off! book series.

Outstanding SEND Resource

Winner: Open Orchestras, Open Up Music


A growing national movement that empowers young disabled people to play music together, independently and expressively, in real-time, through a growing library of adapted, accessible repertoire by composers such as Beethoven and Monteverdi.

Outstanding Music Education Product

Winner: I Can Compose


A website offering step-by-step tutorials in composition assignments for GCSE and A Level students.

Outstanding Musical Theatre/Drama Education Resource

Winner: The School Musicals Company


Material for schools, theatre groups and clubs to perform that lies within the school curriculum. Books with accompanying CDs, and a hands-on team of writers.

Excellence in Primary/Early Years

Winner: Primary Music Toolkit


By Dr Alison Daubney PhD, published by ISM Trust and supported by Schools Music Association. Commissioned to help primary school teachers further their self-assurance in teaching music in the classroom, the toolkit explores ideas about music teaching and is packed with practical help and strategies to equip primary teachers with the confidence to lead inspiring musical experiences.

Outstanding School Music Department

Winner: Belvedere Academy, Liverpool


Nominating students wrote: ‘It is difficult to find the words to thank a teacher when they have had such a huge influence on your life. Thank you just doesn’t cover it. To Mr O’Keeffe and Mr Deakin, thank you. We just want you to know that you are the best!’

Outstanding Rock, Pop or Production Initiative

Winner: Young Vision, Lewis School Pengam


An intensive week-long songwriting event in which sixth form pupils wrote, recorded and produced their own songs to be performed at a local venue, as a result of the success of which, a Songwriting Scholarship Scheme was set up.

Music Education Council Major Award

Winner: Lincolnshire Music Education Hub


A Hub that has demonstrated strong leadership and real resilience. The panel noted the innovate digital work that is taking place as well as specific projects including Samba-City and Sing Station as well as the thinking around progression routes through World music.

Francesca Hanley Inspiration Award

Winner: Anna Rusbatch


Music Teacher Magazine Editor’s Award

Winner: Hope for Grenfell by Opera Holland Park


Outstanding Classical Music Education Initiative

Winner: In Harmony Liverpool, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic


Established in 2009, IHL uses orchestral music making to improve the life chances of children in North Liverpool by increasing confidence, wellbeing, skills and resilience, enhanced by opportunities to travel, learn, perform and collaborate with professional musicians, international artists and other young people.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: John Davie