Devon Music Education Hub is celebrating an extraordinary period of national recognition after being shortlisted for three prestigious music education awards in recent weeks, and already securing a major national win.

The Hub, which supports thousands of children and young people across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay to access high-quality music education opportunities, has been recognised for excellence in jazz education, music commissioning, and inclusive music-making.

The first accolade comes through a shortlist place in a new category for Music Hubs and Services at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The nomination recognises the Hub’s long-standing commitment to jazz education, including its support for the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra, its successful partnership with the Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival, and a wide range of jazz learning opportunities delivered both in and out of schools. Winners will be announced at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Jazz awards event in London on 13 October.

The Hub has already shared in the success at the Making Music Awards, where ‘Don’t Go Extinct!’, a new climate-focused cantata for young voices by internationally renowned composer Bob Chilcott, with words by celebrated children’s author Timothy Knapman, won the Commissioning Award. Jointly commissioned by Budleigh Music Festival and Devon Music Education Hub, the work explores environmental sustainability and was premiered in both Budleigh Salterton and Plymouth earlier this year. The Plymouth performance was delivered in partnership with Plymouth Youth Music Service and The Legacy Choir, and brought together hundreds of children and young people from local schools and Hub-supported ensembles, alongside visiting young singers from Plymouth, Massachusetts (USA).

Completing the hat-trick, the Hub has just been shortlisted in the Outstanding Musical Initiative category of the Music and Drama Education Awards 2027 for its innovative Future Musicians programme. Developed in partnership with music educator and YouTuber Music With Mr Gray, the inclusive ensemble model enables children and young people of all ages, abilities and instruments to perform together, has engaged thousands of young people across Devon over the last year.

Lewis Gibbs, Music Education Hub Lead for Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay, said:

“To receive national recognition across three very different areas of our work in such a short space of time is both humbling and hugely encouraging. These accolades reflect the creativity, commitment and ambition of our staff, Hub partners, schools and, above all, the children and young people we support every day.

“We are especially delighted that Don’t Go Extinct! has already secured a national award. The project brought together the outstanding artistic leadership of our friends at Budleigh Music Festival, Plymouth Youth Music Service, and the Hub team, to enable the voices of young people to explore one of the defining issues of their generation.

“Recognition for our jazz education work highlights the strength of our partnerships with organisations such as Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra and Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival, while the Future Musicians shortlist reflects our commitment to making music-making accessible to all. We are incredibly proud of everyone who has contributed to these achievements.”

The recognition comes during another successful year for Devon Music Education Hub, which continues to expand opportunities for children and young people to sing, play, create and perform music through a wide-ranging programme of school, community and ensemble activities across the region.