Outstanding Musical Initiative

An award for an initiative which has demonstrably improved music provision for students of any age.

This can be any project run within an educational setting, charitably, or commercially, covering any period of time. It can have as its focus any genre of music. The initiative does not need to be new; but it must have taken place on or after 1 September 2019.

The judges will be looking for evidence that a significant number of students have benefitted demonstrably from the initiative or may do so going forward. 

In nomination statements, please give as much detail as you can about the initiative and why you think it should be rewarded. Feel free to include links to YouTube clips, mp3 files, or photos to support your nomination if applicable.

If appropriate please also give details of websites and pricing structures.

Outstanding Drama Initiative

An award for an initiative which has demonstrably improved drama provision for students of any age. This can be any project run within an educational setting, charitably, or commercially, covering any period of time. The initiative does not need to be new; but it must have taken place on or after 1 September 2019.

The judges will be looking for evidence that a significant number of students have benefitted demonstrably from the initiative or may do so going forward. 

In nomination statements, please give as much detail as you can about the initiative and why you think it should be rewarded. Feel free to include links to YouTube clips, mp3 files, or photos to support your nomination if applicable.

If appropriate please also give details of websites and pricing structures.

Outstanding Music Education Resource

Sponsored by:

An award for an educational resource of any kind which significantly aids music education. The resource must have been released on or after 1 September 2019. In this category, ‘resource’ is applied broadly to include things such as:

-          Books
-          Websites
-          Software
-          Hardware (devices or instruments)
-          Syllabuses

In nomination statements, please give as much detail as you can about the resource and why you think it should be rewarded. Feel free to include links to YouTube clips, mp3 files, photos to support your nomination if applicable. If appropriate please also give details of websites and pricing structures.

If successful, finalists in our resource award categories will be invited to submit hard copy/digital/physical access (at a retail outlet if necessary) to products for the panel to try.

Outstanding Drama Education Resource

For an educational resource that has made an important contribution to the body of resources available for drama teachers and learners.

The resource must have been released on or after 1 September 2019. In this category, ‘resource’ is applied broadly to include things such as:

-          Books
-          Websites
-          Software
-          Hardware (costumes, props, devices)
-          Syllabuses

In nomination statements, please give as much detail as you can about the resource and why you think it should be rewarded. Feel free to include links to YouTube clips, mp3 files, photos to support your nomination if applicable. If appropriate please also give details of websites and pricing structures.

If successful, finalists in our resource award categories will be invited to submit hard copy/digital/physical access (at a retail outlet if necessary) to products for the panel to try.

Excellence in SEND (Music & Drama)

An award for a resource or initiative, released or taking place since 1 September 2019, which makes music or drama more accessible to people with SEND.

If you are nominating a resource, this can apply to:

-          Books
-          Websites
-          Software
-          Hardware (instruments/devices/other physical products)
-          Syllabuses

Released to the market/made publicly available since 1 September 2019. If appropriate please give details of websites and pricing structures.

If successful, finalists in our resource award categories will be invited to submit hard copy/digital/physical access (at a retail outlet if necessary) to products for the panel to try.

If you are nominating an initiative:

This can be any project run within an educational setting, charitably, or commercially, covering any period of time. The initiative does not need to be new; but it must have taken place on or after 1 September 2019.

The judges will be looking for evidence that a significant number of students have benefitted demonstrably from the initiative or may do so going forward. 

In nomination statements, please give as much detail as you can about the initiative and why you think it should be rewarded. Feel free to include links to YouTube clips, mp3 files, photos to support your nomination if applicable. If appropriate please also give details of websites and pricing structures.

Excellence in Musical Theatre

An educational project or resource which has taken place or been released since 1 September 2019, and which has introduced, made more accessible, or demonstrably aided the teaching or learning of Musical Theatre for students or participants of any age.

If you are nominating a project:

This can be any project run within an educational setting, charitably, or commercially, covering any period of time. The initiative does not need to be new; but it must have taken place on or after 1 September 2019.

The judges will be looking for evidence that a significant number of students have benefitted demonstrably from the initiative or may do so going forward. 

In nomination statements, please give as much detail as you can about the initiative and why you think it should be rewarded. Feel free to include links to YouTube clips, mp3 files, photos to support your nomination if applicable. If appropriate please also give details of websites and pricing structures.

If you are nominating a resource, this can apply to:

-          Books
-          Websites
-          Software
-          Hardware (instruments/devices/other physical products)
-          Syllabuses

Released to the market/made publicly available since 1 September 2019. If appropriate please give details of websites and pricing structures.

If successful, finalists in our resource award categories will be invited to submit hard copy/digital/physical access (at a retail outlet if necessary) to products for the panel to try.

Excellence in Primary/Early years (Music & Drama)

An educational project or resource which has taken place or been released since 1 September 2019, and which has greatly enhanced arts provision in music and/or drama for Early Years and Primary students.

If you are nominating a project:

This can be any project run within an educational setting, charitably, or commercially, covering any period of time. The initiative does not need to be new; but it must have taken place on or after 1 September 2019.

The judges will be looking for evidence that a significant number of students have benefitted demonstrably from the initiative or may do so going forward. 

In nomination statements, please give as much detail as you can about the initiative and why you think it should be rewarded. Feel free to include links to YouTube clips, mp3 files, photos to support your nomination if applicable. If appropriate please also give details of websites and pricing structures.

If you are nominating a resource, this can apply to:

-          Books
-          Websites
-          Software
-          Hardware (instruments/devices/other physical products)
-          Syllabuses

Released to the market/made publicly available since 1 September 2019. If appropriate please give details of websites and pricing structures.

If successful, finalists in our resource award categories will be invited to submit hard copy/digital/physical access (at a retail outlet if necessary) to products for the panel to try.

Outstanding School Music Department

An exemplary department which goes above and beyond in the pursuit of excellence in music provision.

The judges will be looking for evidence that music provision is exceptional in the nominated school music department, and that staff in the department go out of their way to ensure that a significant proportion of students benefit from access to music and to musical opportunities in and out of school, within the necessary constraints of financial and time allocation.

Please explain in detail in your nomination why you feel the department you are nominating is worthy of this award, giving clear examples for the judges.

Supporting statements will be requested from those shortlisted. If you are nominating as a parent, student, or other person external to the department in question, the department itself will be contacted for further detail before final judging takes place.

Outstanding School Drama Department

An exemplary department which goes above and beyond in the pursuit of excellence in drama provision.

The judges will be looking for evidence that drama provision is exceptional in the nominated school drama department, and that staff in the department go out of their way to ensure that a significant proportion of students benefit from access to drama and to theatre opportunities in and out of school, within the necessary constraints of financial and time allocation.

Please explain in detail in your nomination why you feel the department you are nominating is worthy of this award, giving clear examples for the judges.

Supporting statements will be requested from those shortlisted. If you are nominating as a parent, student, or other person external to the department in question, the department itself will be contacted for further detail before final judging takes place.

Francesca Hanley Inspiration Award

Sponsored by:

The Francesca Hanley Inspiration Award, sponsored by the Musicians’ Union.

This award honours an individual music teacher or performer who has had a hugely inspirational impact on students of any age in their music-making.

It is dedicated by our sponsor to a greatly missed colleague and friend – Fran Hanley, who sadly passed away in January 2017. Her whole career was based on supporting and nurturing young musicians and those who teach them.

The judges will be looking for evidence that this teacher has made or continues to make a real and significant difference to the lives of their students through their teaching, whether in a school or non-school setting.

You can nominate:

·         A classroom music teacher
·         A university lecturer
·         A music school or conservatoire teacher
·         A private tutor
·         A workshop leader
·         A practitioner
·         A music therapy teacher or music therapist
·         Any other inspiring music educator

Please explain in detail in your nomination why you feel the teacher/educator you are nominating is worthy of this award, giving clear examples for the judges.

Further supporting statements will be requested from those shortlisted before final judging takes place.

Drama Inspiration Award

The judges will be looking for evidence that this teacher has made or continues to make a real and significant difference to the lives of their students through their teaching, whether in a school or non-school setting.

You can nominate:

·         A classroom drama teacher

·         A university lecturer

·         A drama school or conservatoire teacher

·         A private tutor

·         A workshop leader

·         A practitioner

·         A drama therapy teacher

·         Any other inspiring drama educator

Please explain in detail in your nomination why you feel the teacher/educator you are nominating is worthy of this award, giving clear examples for the judges.

Further supporting statements will be requested

Music Teacher Magazine Editors Award

This award will be granted by the Editor of Music Teacher magazine for a project, resource or individual of their choice. There is therefore no nomination process for this award.

Drama & Theatre Magazine Editors Award

This award will be granted by the Editor of Drama & Theatre magazine for a project, resource or individual of their choice. There is therefore no nomination process for this award.

#Goldstars Award

Music Teacher (MT) and Drama & Theatre (D&T) are celebrating UK teachers who have gone above and beyond during this extraordinary period in educational history. Do you know a music or drama teacher who has shown particular compassion, flair and creativity during the pandemic? Is there someone in your organisation who truly deserves a gold star? Whether it’s yourself, your own teacher, or a colleague, we’d love to shout about it on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Tagging @MusicTeacherMag or @DramaAndTheatre, tell us in one or two sentences why you or the teacher you are putting forward deserves #GoldStars. Don’t forget the hashtag! Let’s get those teachers recognised publicly for being brilliant despite all the odds.

PLUS If you follow up on your post with an email to goldstars@markallengroup.com, your Gold Star teacher could be shortlisted for the #GoldStars Award.

Attach a supporting statement of no more than 500 words telling us everything we need to know about the inspiring work you are nominating. You may include links and photos, or just a written statement, and please also include your contact details in case your nomination is shortlisted.

The #GoldStars award will be given at the Music & Drama Education Awards 2021.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sponsored by:

This award is for a person working in music or drama education whose career has been marked by an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of others through the arts.

Judges will be looking for evidence that nominees have made a long and demonstrable difference to the lives of a significant number of students.

In nomination statements please give full biographical information and a history of the nominee’s working life, as far as is possible, and explain why you feel that they are worthy of this prestigious award.

A shortlist will not be announced for this award, nor will finalist nominees be contacted for further information, so please give full detail in your nomination statements, including any supporting material you would like to put forward in the form of links, YouTube clips, MP3s, and so on.