Gateshead Music Service presented its first Awards Ceremony
on Tuesday 1st December 2009 in the Great Hall at the Dryden Centre.
 

Dr Maggie Atkinson and Mr John Treherne with award winners at the Ceremony

Awards were presented by Dr Maggie Atkinson, Group Director and Mr David Mitchell, Director of Education; to schools, students, and ensembles, who  achieved well in the field of music making. 

Mr David Mitchell Director of Education and Mr John Treherne, Head of Gateshead Schools' Music Service with award recipients

John Treherne MBE – Head of Gateshead Schools’ Music Service said:

The Gateshead Music Service has received national acclaim on a number of occasions in recent years, including The Major Award of the National Music Council and most recently the accolade of ‘Outstanding’ by the Federation of Music Services’ following a major self-evaqluation in 2009.  There are many reasons, I suppose: consistent support from the Gateshead Council: generous funding from central government’s Standards Fund and innovatory teaching from an extraordinarily versitile and loyal team of teachers. 

Over many years  our students have left Gateshead to follow a career in music.  This year is the first time that the Gateshead Schools’ Music Service has organised an Awards Ceremony,which celebrates the achievements of our young students.  These range from pupils who are taught in whole classes and who have received the Music Service’s Bronze Award, to advanced students who have successfully gained Grade 8 of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or other awarding bodies. 

Whole Class instrumental tuition has become well established in Gateshead, and over 2000 students are currently taught in this way, with their class teacher learning alongside the children.  This programme is a keystone of central government strategy, and is supported by extra funding for many instruments.  These include violin, trumpet, cornet guitar, percussion, ukulele, recorder, ocarina, keyboard and vocal studies. 

Teachers have been asked to nominate students whose work has been outstanding for so many reasons.  It has been a pleasure to see such a wide range of young people who are deriving such joy from their music making.  These are just the kind of people we need to applaud: they make a fine contribution to society, and music will always be a major aspect of their lives. 

Several Gateshead students have attended workshops, ensembles and the Weekend School at The Sage Gateshead, and we are glad to acknowledge our thriving relationship with this organisation.
This is a hectic term, with a wide range of performances by different ensembles.  I must mention the strings of the Youth Orchestra’s involvement in the Beggar’s Opera, with performances in Gosforth and Gateshead in association with the First Act Theatre Company. and generous sponsrship from our partners, the Avison Ensemble.  The Gateshead Senior Wind Band has performed with acclaim at the Newcastle City Hall, in a concert featuring a range of ensembles from Federation of Music Service members from around the region; and Paraffernalia has been rehearsing a wide range of new swing material. 

Best wishes to all our young performers:to members of our ensembles and of course to our award winners.

Jonathan Edwards CBE – Patron of the Gateshead Youth Orchestra said:

I have often been struck by the similarity between successful musicians and professional sportsmen and women.  Both sets of people need to work hard on developing their skills, but the great thing is that everyone can participate whatever their level of ability, and thats what makes the difference. 

It is so exciting to see so many talented youngsters having the opportunity to achieve their potential and deriving such enjoyment, both from their sporting and also musical activities.  I wish them every success in the future.

The Friends of the Gateshead Youth Orchestra would like to congratulate all the award winners and thank the audience for their generous participation in the raffle.