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| County Music Service receives awards The service was given the accolades at the annual National Music Council and Music Education Council awards by jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine during a grand celebration at London's County Hall. Commitment to music making They received a national diploma for the range and depth of the service's work in schools in Oxfordshire and the community and a separate award, sponsored by the Performing Rights Society Foundation, for its commitment to creative music making. The following events were a few of those that contributed to the service's success: Teenage musicians who attended a Rock and Pop workshop during the February school half-term formed groups and recorded a composed song to CD. A choir of 500 primary school children from 32 schools, organised by the Music Service, were invited to sing a new composition, written for Water Aid by Richard Stilgoe, at the Music for Youth Proms at the world famous Royal Albert Hall in London last November. Diners at the chairman of the county council's charity dinner were entertained by two youngsters from the Oxfordshire Youth Percussion Ensemble who composed and performed a piece of music using knives, forks, plates and glasses. It was extended to a five-minute piece by the entire ensemble and then performed at the National Festival of Music for Youth in July. Hard work has paid off Acting head of the Music Service Liz Stock, who collected the award with former Music Service Director Richard Hallam MBE, said: "It was fantastic for us to recognised in this manner. All our staff are hugely dedicated to the Music Service and it is wonderful that their professionalism and hard work has been rewarded in such a way." Councillor Jim Couchman, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Social and Community Services, said: "I am delighted that our Music Service has been given these awards but it comes as no surprise to me as they always deliver excellence and are recognised nationally for that fact." write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |