Angus based music teacher Hazel Kerr has been named Scottish Instrumental Teacher of the Year
Following a record number of entries and nominations, Angus based music teacher Hazel Kerr has been named Scottish Instrumental Teacher of the Year at the prestigious Yamaha Scottish Instrumental Teacher of the Year awards ceremony held on Saturday June 7 at the Cairn Hotel in Bathgate.
Hazel who specialises in teaching violin and Viola joined 23 other regional winners (details below) at the prestigious awards dinner to receive her trophy and an incredible prize of £2000 to spend on furthering her personal development, from Yamaha director Mike Ketley and Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama John Wallace.
The awards, now in their sixth year and firmly established as a key event in the Scottish music education calendar are designed to recognise the outstanding contribution made to pupils and local communities by instrumental music teachers throughout Scotland. The awards have honoured over 125 teachers since their inception in 1997.
Children, parents and colleagues from over 1000 schools in Scotland nominated a total of 96 teachers from 28 local authority regions for the award and this year the final was hosted by West Lothian council.
The 96 nominees were shortlisted down to 24 finalists who came from as far afield as Orkney and Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway.
The final judging panel, chaired by John Wallace also included Richard Crozier director of professional development at the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, professional percussionist Heather Corbert and general manager of the National Youth Choir of Scotland Ian Mills.
This year's scheme coincides with the Scottish Executive pumping a massive £17.5 million into the regions to fund extra instrumental teaching throughout the country. This money will be used to widen access and recruit extra music teachers throughout the country.
The awards are jointly organised by music giant Yamaha and the Heads of Instrumental Teaching in Scotland (HITS) and aim to reward excellence in music tuition and acknowledge the vital role music teachers play in local communities. The Head of Instrumental Teaching have also recently contributed to new guidance issued by the Scottish Executive setting standards for delivery of instrumental tuition, social inclusion and issuing new quality indicators. It is a stated aims of the Executive to increase the number of instrumental teachers in the country over the next 3 years.
West Lothian arts manager Brian Duguid comments "West Lothian Council was delighted to host the 2003 Yamaha Scottish Instrumental Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony which attracted a record number of 28 Local Authority nominations this year. Instrumental music in Scottish Schools has been given a boost from the Scottish Executive through a three year funding package of £17.5million. However it is essential we recognise that it is the instrumental teachers who deliver the lessons and this unique event has helped raise the profile and success of their work and commitment to instrumental music in our schools and community".
Yamaha's Mike Ketley commented "These awards are all about acknowledging and raising the profile of the hugely important role that instrumental teachers play in inspiring, encouraging, motivating and helping the young Scottish musicians of the future discover their skills and creativity. This year saw a record number of entries being nominated which is a huge testament to the scale and range of musical activity going on around the country. We saw and heard some wonderful teachers and music, we are delighted to support these awards and recognise the pivotal role that instrumental teachers play in the cultural life of local communities".
YAMAHA SCOTTISH INSTRUMENTAL TEACH OF THE YEAR -OVERALL WINNER: Miss Hazel Kerr
Violin / Viola
Angus
REGIONAL WINNERS: Mrs Jane Callow, Brass, West Lothian
Mrs Val Maynes, Piano/Strings, Dundee
Mr Charles Farren, Brass, East Lothian
Mrs Julie Johnson, Piano, Guitar, Voice, Shetland
Mr Tony Clarke, Brass, Edinburgh
Mr Jerry Randalls, Woodwind, Falkirk
Ms Cathy Johnson, Violin /Viola, Moray
Miss Hazel Morrison, Percussion, Mid Lothian
Mrs Jean Thewless, Violin /Viola/ Cello, Stirling
Mrs Rebecca Roberts, Woodwind / Bassoon, East Renfrewshire
Mr James Smith, Brass / Trumpet, North Lanarkshire
Mr Frank Bolam, Guitar, North Ayrshire
Mrs Alison Nairn, Strings Piano, Perth And Kinross
Mrs Lena Dykes, Violin / Viola, Renfrewshire
Mr John Boax, Trumpet, East Ayrshire
Mr Graeme Barclay, Percussion, South Lanarkshire
Mrs Margaret McGhee, Woodwind, West Dumbarton
Ms Teresa Boag, Violin /Viola, Aberdeen City
Mr Derek Chapman, Brass, Aberdeenshire North
Mrs Lesley Sanderson, Brass And Woodwind, Dumfries And Galloway
Mr Douglas Montgomery, Violin / Strings, Orkney
Mr Bryden Stillie, Drums / Percussion, Glasgow
Mr Steven Dowall, Brass, Fife Region
