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The NMC Music Education Awards

Hub leaders in England and Local Authorities in the rest of the UK are now invited to make submissions for the 2013 NMC Music Education Awards.



The National Music Council (NMC) Music Education Awards scheme recognises Hubs (in England) and local authorities across the rest of the UK that are able to demonstrate imaginative, inclusive and all round high-quality music provision in a particular year. Once again, Jazz Services will be looking to award Diplomas/Certificates of their own this year, and there will as usual be an award for new music.

Please note, the 2013 Awards relate to the 2012/13 financial year: 6th April 2012 – 5th April 2013.  

As in previous years, the 2013 Awards are being organised with the support of and assistance from Music Mark and Paritor.  We are grateful to the Music Education Council for their renewed support and sponsorship of the Awards.

The combined support of all the various partners enables the NMC to improve the possibilities for publicising and celebrating the achievements of the winning authorities and highlighting good practice through:

  • a ceremony to which the following will be invited: representatives of the winning Hubs and authorities; a representative of every submitting authority (if applicable); key opinion formers linked to the music industry and music education (including all Council members); and representatives of the media
  • broadening the dissemination of the report detailing the activities of those Hubs and authorities recognised during the year (using electronic means)


In 2013, as in previous years, the Awards will take the form of a major trophy and diplomas of merit. The major trophy will be awarded to the Hub or authority that demonstrates the most substantial overall commitment to music during the year in question, given the resources at its disposal, and the questionnaire has been drawn up in such a way as to enable recognition by diploma to be accorded also to those Hubs and authorities whose policies and practices are worthy of special acknowledgement.

For the avoidance of doubt, we can confirm that in our deliberations we take full account of the resources available to and the size of the Hubs and LAs/Music Services making submissions.

Hub leaders in England and Local Authorities in the rest of the UK are now invited to make submissions for the 2013 Awards using the appropriate entry form (below). In many cases the information requested will be available in other documentation, and we have tried to ensure that the process is as easy as possible whilst remaining consistent with our need to treat all Hubs and authorities fairly and obtain the requisite information.

NMC Music Education Awards Entry Form - ENGLAND

NMC Music Education Awards Entry Form - SCOTLAND

NMC Music Education Awards Entry Form - WALES and NORTHERN IRELAND


A copy of the report in respect of last year’s Awards can be viewed on the NMC website, and details of the 2012 Jazz Services’ Will Michael Diplomas can be found on the MusicEd website.

As always, a submission in the name of a semi-autonomous unit within an authority – be it called a music service, agency, trust or foundation for music – will be most welcome. In all cases, submissions must be made using the appropriate questionnaire, and please note that we are unable to accept printed copies. The completed questionnaires must be emailed by 6pm on Friday 23 August 2013 to: admin@nationalmusiccouncil.org.uk  

Any questions or queries should please be directed to the same email address.  We look forward to receiving your entries!



Previous Awards Reports



What previous Major Trophy winners have said about the Awards


Denise Barber, Music consultant and Wider Opportunities Manager - Southwark Music services:
"Southwark Music Services won the National Music Council Major Award in 2005 joint with Hertfordshire Music Service. This was an important achievement for us as we are a very small service with no full time members of staff. We appreciated being judged by our merits and not by our size and being recognised for celebrating the talents and meeting the needs of young people in Southwark, one of the most deprived areas in the country. Since the award ceremony I have noticed that Southwark is much more on the Music Education Map with my opinion being sought by national figures such as Howard Goodall (composer and broadcaster) - who presented us with the award and Marc Jaffrey (Music Manifesto Champion) who visited Kingsdale which is our flagship secondary school for music. We hope to apply for the award again this year believing that with the arrival of our new Wider Opportunities Programme we will once again be strong contenders for an award."

Richard Howlett, Head of Hampshire County Council's Music Service:
"This was a great accolade for all we had achieved in the previous years and it meant a huge amount to Hampshire schools, Hampshire Music staff and to Hampshire County Council (HCC). It brought us to the attention of the press - and as a result we had more coverage of our musical events in Hampshire (and later in the year at the Schools Prom) then ever before. Our staff and pupils were very pleased when we were able to display the trophy at a several of our concerts and festivals!

We were pleased that it was a further "hallmark" for what we continue to strive towards - the highest possible achievements for our pupils. In summary - the award "lifted" all those who could share in it. The profile and public image of HMS was very much enhanced. Councillors were able to learn more of the success and impact or our work. More opportunities and support for pupils; music making."

John Harries, Head of Cornwall Music Service:
"Cornwall Music Service have been very fortunate in receiving six diplomas from the National Music Council over the last eight years including a special award from the PRS Foundation for compositional project work. The obvious benefit of receiving such a prestigious award is that of publicity. It is always a benefit to a service to have an outside agency recognising the good work that it does, and through local media parents, schools, governors, and members of the County Council are made aware of this.

"The hidden benefits are numerous, perhaps the most important being staff morale. Through receiving these awards they feel more pride in the work that they undertake. They feel they have been thanked by a prestigious body. It also means that they suggest some absolutely brilliant ideas for future projects.

"Also, senior officers within the local authority feel proud of the service due to these awards, and there is no doubt at all that as a result of the awards we have gained favour by them.

"In 2003, the service received the Major Trophy. Not only all the benefits outlined above were experienced twofold, but the young people who performed in the British Library to an audience of approximately 200 leading British music educationalists were invited to partake in workshops with Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth and to perform the length and breadth of the country, from Strathclyde to Kent and from Belfast to Suffolk - an experience they will never forget.

"I commend to you the work of the National Music Council without reservation."

John Treherne, Head of Gateshead Schools' Music Service:
"The Gateshead Council has always supported the work of its Schools' Music Service and taken a pride in the achievements of its young people. Additional funding from the Council has given so many pupils the opportunity to take part in significant musical activities both as performers but also as participants in varied and stimulating workshops.

"The award of the Major Trophy was greeted with delight by the teachers who work within the service, and of course the ooportunity to visit the RSA in London and perform in front of Cleo Laine was a great honour.

"The Youth Orchestra was subsequently invited to perform in the Council's debating chamber before the Mayor of Gateshead and the full council, and the award was formally received by the Leader of the Council.

"Subsequent to this presentation, additional funding was made available to support further initiatives. This has been particularly helpful in facilitating overseas tours by our senior ensembles. The Diploma itself is placed in a prominent position in the foyer of the Dryden Professional Development Centre and the trophy was in pride of place outside the Mayor's parlour. The Gateshead Schools' Music Service was praised in an OfSTED inspection; this major award further confirmed the findings of the visiting inspectors."


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