JAZZ EDUCATION AWARDS – NORTH & SOUTH OF THE BORDER

On 1 December, at the Royal Academy of Music, Aberdeenshire, Devon, East Renfrewshire, Lincolnshire and Southampton will be awarded Diplomas of Merit for their outstanding commitment to jazz education in 2010/11. Devon’s reward for a remarkable record of five diplomas on the trot, three of which were accorded special merit status, will be a special trophy awarded by Paritor Ltd (sponsors of the NMC/MEC music awards scheme, see below).

Ivor Widdison, Chair of the Awards Panel and his colleagues on the Panel, Andrea Vicary, Trinity Laban College of Music & Drama, Dr Catherine Tackley, Open University and Bill Martin, Yamaha Music Education Manager pay tribute to the above Music Services and to those of Bolton, East Riding, Gloucestershire, Kirklees, Manchester, Oxfordshire, Perth & Kinross, Tower Hamlets and Wigan who in opening windows to the world of music reveal also the very special joys of jazz.   

For further information please contact Ivor Widdison by email: ivorwiddison@yahoo.co.uk

Jazz Services

Jazz Services was formed over 25 years ago and, with support from Arts Council England, encourages the growth and development of jazz in the UK. Jazz Services offers free essential services in information, education, touring, communications, marketing and publishing.  Jazz Services’ Will Michael Awards are part of the long-running National Music Council/Music Education Council  Music Education Awards Scheme  which is open to local authorities in England & Wales and education authorities in Scotland and gives national recognition to those music services which are able to demonstrate a notable commitment to music education.

Background to the Will Michael Award

The Diploma is named in honour of Will Michael who, until his death in 2008, was Head of Music at Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School. Will was a hugely respected jazz educator on the national stage and joint architect of this jazz education awards scheme; he was also an invaluable member of the Jazz Services Education Panel.