Nominations are now open for the Music & Drama Education Awards 2026, which celebrate the achievements of teachers, school departments, individuals, resources, organisations and charities.
This year, nominations will be submitted through a new form-based system, which streamlines the submission and selection process.
Nominations can be submitted in the following categories:
- Outstanding Musical Initiative
- Outstanding Drama Initiative
- Outstanding Music Education Resource
- Outstanding Music Education Print Resource
- Outstanding Drama Education Resource
- Excellence in Send (Music & Drama)
- Excellence in Musical Theatre (Music & Drama)
- The MTI Award for Achievement in Musical Theatre Provision
- Excellence in Primary/Early Years (Music & Drama)
- The Rocksteady Award for Progressive and Inclusive Music Education
- Outstanding School Music Department
- Outstanding School Drama Department
- Instrumental or Vocal Teacher of the Year
- Music Inspiration Award
- Drama Inspiration Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Music
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Drama
The Music Teacher and Drama & Theatre Editors’ Awards will also be presented at the awards ceremony.
To find out more about each category and submit a nomination online, visit the Awards website here.
The deadline for receiving nominations for the 2026 Music & Drama Education Awards is 15 August 2025.
The 2026 awards ceremony will be held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. The host, and expert judging panel, will be announced closer to the event.
The Music & Drama Education Awards 2025 ceremony took place in January and was hosted by Simon Beale. It was supported by sponsors: AVID, Music Teachers’ Association, Music Theatre International, Rocksteady Music School and Royal Marines Band Service.
