New MDEA category for 2022 launched in partnership with Rocksteady
Friday, July 2, 2021
The Rocksteady Award for Progressive and Inclusive Music Education will recognise a project or programme that aims to break down barriers.
The Music & Drama Education Awards (MDEA) 2022 sees the addition of a new category dedicated to inclusivity and progression in music education, courtesy of sponsors Rocksteady Music School.
Presented to a project or programme that aims to challenge the norm and make music education accessible to all, the new award reflects Rocksteady and MDEA’s dedication to ensuring that no child is left behind.
To select the winning project or programme, which will be announced at the Music & Drama Education Awards ceremony on 23 March 2022 at the London Marriott Hotel, judges will be looking for evidence of a child-led approach that has made a meaningful and demonstrable impact on the lives of those involved.
The judges will also be keen to understand how the project’s progressive approach brings something fresh to music education.
Rocksteady founder Mark Robinson said: 'Rocksteady is delighted to be helping the Music & Drama Education Awards shine a light on organisations who share our values of progressive and inclusive music education and who clearly put the child at the heart of the pedagogy.'
MT’s editor and co-chair of the judging panel Harriet Clifford said: ‘We’re thrilled to have partnered with Rocksteady to introduce this award category. At MT, one of our core aims is to champion accessibility and progression in music education, so it’s fantastic that we now have an award specifically dedicated to recognising the brilliant educators behind this work.’
Nominated projects or programmes can be delivered in any setting, either charitable or commercial, but they must have taken place on or after 1 September 2020.
The deadline for nominations is 27 September 2021, and applications should include as much detail as possible, as well as supporting evidence such as social media activity, testimonials, or YouTube clips.
Rocksteady is the world’s largest rock-school, providing in-school music lessons to allow children aged 4-11 to play in a band. The school champions inclusivity through a child-led pedagogy.
