Music & Drama Education Awards 2023 shortlists announced

The shortlists have been announced for the 2023 Music & Drama Education Awards, which celebrate the outstanding achievements of teachers, school departments, individuals, resources, organisations, and charities working in performing arts education. 

A panel of expert judges from across the music and drama education sectors selected the shortlists from a list of nominees. 

The shortlists in the music and crossover categories are as follows: 

Excellence in Primary/Early years (Music & Drama)

1. DaCapo Primary Music 
2. Live Music Now, for Lullaby Project
3. Nate Holder, Helen MacGregor, and Collins Music, for ‘Listen and Celebrate’ 
4. Ocarina Workshop, for ‘Whole-School Ocarina Playing’
5. Sing Up, for Sing Up Music

Excellence in SEND (Music & Drama)

1. Collins Music, for Music Express SEND scheme 
2. Live Music Now, for ‘Inspire’ training initiative
3. Make/Sense Theatre 
4. Victoria Education Centre, for ‘Around the World’ whole school project 
5. West Midlands Inclusive Choir

Outstanding Musical Initiative
(sponsored by Royal Marines Band Service)

1. Awards for Young Musicians, for Furthering Talent
2. Brass Bands England, for Brass Foundations
3. Denbighshire Music Co-operative, for Make Some Noise! Virtual Tour
4. Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST)
5. National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, for NYO Inspire
6. Opera North, for Opera North Big Sing: The Water Diviner’s Tale
7. Surrey Music Hub, for Music Connects

Outstanding Music Education Resource 
(sponsored by CASIO Music UK)

1. ABRSM, for Classroom 200 
2. Charles MacDougall and Voices Foundation, for ‘Inside Singing: A beginner’s guide to leading a choir’
3. Christopher Tarrant, Natalie Wild, and Faber Music, for ‘The Symphony: From Mannheim to Mahler’
4. Karen Marshall and Faber Music, for ‘HerStory: The Piano Collection’ 
5. London Sinfonietta, for Composition Challenges (3 and 4)
6. Out of the Ark Music, for Sparkyard 
7. Patrick Johns and the MTA, for ‘Teaching Notes: The Music Teachers’ Association Podcast’ (seasons 4, 5, and 6)

Outstanding School Music Department
(sponsored by Music Teachers' Association)

1. Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, Birmingham
2. Bishop Wordsworth's School, Salisbury
3. The Bourne Academy, Bournemouth
4. Nelson Primary School, Newham
5. RGS High Wycombe
6. Springwood High School, King’s Lynn
7. Uffculme School

Francesca Hanley Inspiration Award
(sponsored by the Musicians' Union)

1. Debbie Betts
2. Gilliam Mott 
3. Miranda Francis
4. Nikki Iles
5. Rachel Staunton
6. Rebecca Beavis

Instrumental/Vocal Teacher of the Year
(sponsored by RATstands)

1. Daniel Johnston
2. Diane Prince
3. Heidi Gubby
4. Laura Lopez
5. Lucica Trita 
6. Dr Maria Athanasiou

The Rocksteady Award for Progressive and Inclusive Music Education
(Rocksteady Music School)

1. AmaSing, for Connect
2. Lewisham Music, for Sonic Minds
3. Midlands Arts Centre, for MAC Makes Music
4. Music for Good, for ‘Music Prescribed for Wellbeing in a GP surgery’ project
5. The Otakar Kraus Music Trust, for OK Music School
6. SupaJam

The Lifetime Achievement Award and the Music Teacher Magazine Editor’s Award will be announced on the awards evening. 

A celebrity host for the awards will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are on sale now. 

www.musicdramaedawards.com