The head of Bexley Music and its Primary Choir have been presented with Civic Recognition Awards – reflecting the outstanding contribution they make within and beyond the Borough.
The awards celebrate outstanding groups and individuals who make a difference in their communities. The ceremony took place at Bexley’s Civic Offices, opened by the Mayor, Andy Dourmoush, who welcomed and congratulated all the winners.
Bexley Music Primary Choir was celebrated for its outstanding performance at Buckingham Palace, which was filmed as part of the King’s Christmas Message last December. 35 6-11 year olds were involved in this once in a lifetime event, together with a 15-year old vocal soloist and two young instrumentalists.
Julie Stanning, who has led Bexley Music for over a decade, was also recognised with an individual award for her commitment to making music accessible to all. Julie’s dedication ensures that people across the Borough can benefit from the many opportunities that music education provides.
CEO of London South East Academies Trust, Dr Sam Parrett CBE, said:
“Bexley Music is a very important part of our Trust, providing many wonderful opportunities for pupils in our schools and in other schools across the Borough.
“We were so proud of the Primary Choir’s performance at Buckingham Palace; watching this on television on Christmas Day is something we will always remember.
“Congratulations to the Choir, to Julie and to all the other Civic Recognition Award winners. You make an outstanding contribution you to your communities and I’m delighted to see you all being celebrated in this way.”
Collecting her award and accompanying members of the Primary Choir to collect theirs, Julie said:
“I am so proud of all our pupils. The Primary Choir performed to brilliantly for the King’s Christmas Message and very much deserve to receive this special, civic recognition. Our mission at Bexley Music is to inspire and engage our whole community with exciting musical opportunities - and this is a fantastic example of how we do that.
“I was stunned and extremely honoured to be presented with an individual award. But I couldn’t do what I do without the fantastic and talented people I work with – thank you to all of them. This is a really special achievement for us all and I hope it will encourage more people to get involved with music!”
Pupils Oscar and Ava attend Belmont Academy (part of London South East Academies Trust) and were part of the Bexley Music Junior Choir. They attended the ceremony to collect the Civic Recognition Award on behalf of the choir.
Oscar said:
"When the news came that we had won an award, I felt we deserved it. It's not an easy thing to do - having the courage to go to Buckingham Palace and knowing that the recording of our performance would be watched by millions of people! It's not a chance many people have.”
Ava added:
“I was happy that I was chosen to go to the presentation evening. I was happy for everyone in the whole choir. I was nervous at first but being there with the others helped.”
As the lead music provider in the Borough, Bexley Music works with schools, community groups and individuals, offering exciting musical opportunities to people of all ages. These include instrumental tuition in and out of school, music curriculum lessons, clubs, ensembles and choirs, as well as teacher training, network meetings for school music colleagues, large-scale, high-profile performances and much more.
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