ABRSM joins forces with Classic FM as ‘Partner in Music Education’

6 November 2016, 10:00

Following their ‘Classical 100’ primary schools initiative, Classic FM and ABRSM have agreed to enter a full-blown educational partnership.

ABRSM, the UK’s largest music education body, has teamed up with the nation’s most popular classical music station, Classic FM, to launch a new music education partnership.

At the heart of the collaboration, which will see ABRSM become ‘Classic FM’s Partner in Music Education’, is the UK’s biggest ever celebration of music teachers, as the two organisations join forces for Classic FM’s Music Teacher of the Year Awards 2017. The refreshed Awards will culminate in a showcase event next July, hosted by ABRSM and Classic FM, to celebrate and reward the teachers who have made a real difference to their students’ lives. 

Classic FM's Music Teacher of the Year Awards: how to nominate >

The partnership will highlight ABRSM’s unparalleled music education expertise amongst Classic FM’s 5.3 million listeners across the UK. In addition, ClassicFM.com will bring to life ABRSM’s popular syllabuses and learning resources through bespoke content and features, designed to help encourage all musicians to make progress and become ever more curious about music. 

ABRSM and Classic FM have already successfully collaborated on Classical 100, a free online resource for primary schools developed with Decca Records and supported by the Department for Education. Since its launch in November 2015 (pictured above), more than 3,000 schools have signed up to use Classical 100 in classrooms around the UK. Both organisations look forward to developing this resource further in 2017, with ongoing support from the Department for Education. 

Classical 100: the full list >

Michael Elliott, ABRSM Chief Executive, said: “Through this partnership, we want to inspire young people, their parents and grandparents to get involved with, listen to and learn music together.  ABRSM and Classic FM have already demonstrated that great things can happen when our two organisations work together: Classical 100, the free online music app for UK primary schools, has been used to provide music to over 270,000 children since it launched, and we’re looking forward reaching more new audiences in partnership with Classic FM.” 

Sam Jackson, Managing Editor, Classic FM, said: “We’re really proud to partner with such a prestigious institution as ABRSM, helping us to bring classical music to as wide an audience as possible. Since 1992, Classic FM has helped to break down the perceived barriers to classical music; and now, ahead of our 25th birthday in 2017, the opportunity to further this work in partnership with ABRSM is a truly exciting one.  We can’t wait to get started!”