On Wednesday 6 March I can compose was awarded Outstanding Music Education Product in the 2019 Music Teacher Awards for Excellence. The awards ceremony followed the first day of the Music and Drama Education Expo in Olympia, London.
A Gala Evening
The Awards took place at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Hotel and were hosted by Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall. It was a fantastic evening with champagne reception and performances by members of British Youth Opera and BBC Young Musician 2018 finalist, saxophonist Rob Burton.
Awards were presented in 14 categories from Outstanding School Music Department to Outstanding Rock, Pop or Production initiative. Director of I can compose, Rachel Shapey, was thrilled to be named winner of the Outstanding Music Education Product.
Cameron Bray, editor of Music Teacher and organiser of the Music Teacher Awards, said: “Our judges were impressed by the detail of this resource, commenting that it was extensive, well presented and there’s a modern, up-to-date feel to it.”
Rachel says: “I am over the moon to have won the Outstanding Music Education Product category at the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence. To receive this recognition is the cherry on top after the warm reception I can compose has had over the last year from students, teachers and the wider music education community. Since launching in the summer of 2018, we have been shortlisted for three awards, and I feel this reflects the unique platform that brings high-quality composing resources to students and teachers.”
“The aim of the site has always been to make composing fun and accessible, and I’m thrilled that pupils and teachers are enjoying using the site and gaining confidence in the composing process.”
What’s next for I can compose?
These are exciting times for I can compose, and Rachel is in the process of writing more composition courses for the site, adding a number of resources for the popular Teachers’ Area and building an engaged community for music educators and aspiring composers.