Prestigious National Music Award for East Ayrshire

East Ayrshire stood out yet again in the national arena, winning a prestigious national music award for providing free, high-quality music education to young people in local schools.

At the recent glittering National Music Council (NMC) 2009 ceremony in London's Royal Albert Hall, members of the Education Department's Creative Minds Team collected the NMC's Diploma of Merit, in recognition of the music service's outstanding commitment to music education provision. This is the fifth year in a row the Council has received an award.

Particular comment was made of the wide range of opportunities for young people to join authority bands, choirs and ensembles, the excellent activities supporting curricular development and the wide range of partnerships with national companies.

Councillor Iain Linton, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: "This is excellent news. I am delighted that East Ayrshire has yet again been recognised as being among the best of a very good bunch. Congratulations to our music service for continued commitment and inspiration."

Robin Osterley, NMC Chairman, said: "This has been yet another good year for the NMC Awards scheme, which is one of the most prestigious awards that Local Authorities can obtain for their arts activity."

Ivor Widdison, Chair of the Awards Panel, said: "The splendid submissions we have had before us this time are representative of best practice."

Other Diplomas of Merit went to Blackpool, Bolton, Devon, East Lothian, Oxfordshire, Redbridge and Southwark. The NMC LEA Music Awards Scheme (coordinated with the assistance of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Federation of Music Services) has been in existence for over 35 years.

Founded in 1953, the National Music Council sits at the centre of a network of national music organisations. Membership is drawn from all areas of the music business. Through the annual awarding of a Trophy and a number of Diplomas, the Council seeks to provide recognition for those LEAs that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to music education provision in a particular year. For further information, see www.nationalmusiccouncil.org.uk .