NATIONAL MUSIC COUNCIL LOCAL AUTHORITY MUSIC EDUCATION AWARDS 2011

Sponsored by Paritor Ltd

The National Music Council (NMC) Local Authority Music Education Awards 2011 took place on Monday 7 November 2011 at London's Southbank Centre.

They were sponsored by Paritor Ltd for the first time after the Department of Education withdrew. These important Awards highlight the work of local authority music departments throughout Britain and are very prestigious within the Music Education community.

Simon Dutton, Managing Director of Paritor says of the awards “Paritor are proud to sponsor the National Music Council’s Local Authority Music Education Awards. As the UK’s leading supplier of management software for music services we understand the importance of being able to provide inspirational music education for young people and also help services face the difficulties presented through a lack of resources. The NMC awards recognise the outstanding opportunities provided by music services and so we felt that it would be an ideal collaboration, a chance to give praise to, shine a light on and encourage the greatest music education.”

The Major Trophy was awarded to Blackpool for outstanding work during the past year. 

Andrew White, Music Adviser, Blackpool said “The prestigious NMC Major Trophy Award will have a massive positive impact upon all involved in Blackpool Music Service. This award will allows us to collectively celebrate our achievements, have pride in what we do and, increase our personal aspirations. We are proud and elated by this wonderful news”.

Diplomas of Merit have been awarded to Bolton, Devon, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Southampton, Staffordshire and Tower Hamlets and will be presented by  Darren Henley the Managing Director of Classic FM.  The PRS Foundation will be awarding a Diploma of Special Merit to East Lothian for their commitment to creative music making.  

Robin Osterley, Chair of the Awards Panel, said: “We were delighted that this year’s award scheme elicited more applications than we have ever had before, and we are very grateful to all those Local Authorities who took the trouble to apply in the midst of a very busy schedule. At a time when music education is undergoing a comprehensive review, and when financial pressures are so great, we would do well to remember that there are so many Authorities out there doing their level best, sometimes with limited resources, to provide outstanding opportunities for young people to learn music, and most importantly, make music. We should also make special mention of our sponsors Paritor, who have been so incredibly helpful in this year’s scheme, and express our lasting gratitude to them.” 

Mark Pemberton Chairman, NMC, said “The NMC Awards scheme is the most prestigious awards that Local Authorities can obtain for their music education provision. It’s excellent news that the number of submissions was so high and the winners are to be congratulated on their achievements.” 

The NMC LA Music Education Awards Scheme (co-ordinated with the assistance of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Federation of Music Services) has been in existence for over 35 years.  The Council is grateful to the PRS Foundation and Jazz Services for their commitment to music education through their awards for creative music-making and jazz education respectively.