News / Education
Merchants’ Academy wins national title
The Music Teacher Awards for Excellence have named Withywood’s Merchants’ Academy’s music department the best in the country.
The Academy accepted the title of Music Department of the Year in a glamorous ceremony held in London’s Knightsbridge. The annual event is often called the Oscars of the music teaching world, with nearly 300 teachers, musicians and VIPs in attendance.
“We are incredibly proud to receive this award,” says Anne Burrell, principal of Merchants’ Academy. “The governors and I are very grateful to staff who give generously of their time and enthusiasm to make this possible. Our music department plays an essential role in helping our students to achieve more than they ever thought possible.”
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Merchants’ Academy beat four other schools shortlisted for the Music Department of the Year award and a record number of initial entries into the competition.
“Music has brought a step change in students’ confidence and has given us all a huge sense of pride,” says Tom Hamill, head of performing arts and music at Merchants’ Academy. “The development of music at the heart and soul of the Academy has led to many fantastic opportunities for the students.”
Hamill says that despite the tough competition, the Academy won due to its focus on giving students of all ages a variety of different musical experiences. The students’ varied curriculum studies everything from classical composers to video game music.
The independent academy, which is funded by the Bristol City Council. partners with Bristol Ensemble’s Preludes programme to teach primary school students to read music, play instruments and perform.
The academy’s secondary school students have the opportunity to play in the growing secondary orchestra and choir, which previously toured in Paris and plans to perform in Cornwall. Other co-curricular activities offered at the Academy include a flute choir, guitar group, African drums, musical theatre and music tech.
The choir and orchestra also play prestigious Bristol venues such as St George’s, Colston Hall and Merchants’ Hall. Music students are often mentored by undergraduates and receive subsidised music lessons and free instruments from the Society of Merchant Venturers and the University of Bristol.
Merchants’ Academy will also host the new South Bristol Music Hub on Satruday mornings.
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