Portsmouth Music Hub has won the Music Education Council's Major Award for a second consecutive year at a ceremony in London.
More than 200 hundred music industry guests attended the Music Teachers Award for Excellence, which took place on Thursday 9th February at the Sheraton Hotel in London.
The Music Education Council is a national organisation which brings together music professionals, businesses and educational providers. The awards celebrate the work of music hubs in England and music services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that demonstrate imaginative, inclusive and all round high-quality music provision.
There are 123 Music Hubs around the country and this year Portsmouth Music Hub and Bristol Plays Music were joint recipients of the Major Award.
The Music Education Council recognised Portsmouth Music Hub's 'commitment and passion', the wide range of musical opportunities available to local children, the strong relationships developed with local and national Arts organisations, and the Hub's ongoing commitment to understand the needs of children in challenging circumstances.
Sue Beckett, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Music Hub said: "After winning the Major Award last year we were determined to build on that success and deliver even greater creative opportunities to children and young people in Portsmouth. Our commitment to making sure that every child has an equal chance to experience and participate in music remains at the heart of everything we do."
Portsmouth Music Hub was set up in 2011. Each year the Hub produces stage shows and cultural events for children to enjoy and participate in. The Hub brings local and national groups into schools, and it has developed a range of groups for young musicians to join, from rock bands to wind bands. The Hub has more than 40 Partner organisations, including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, The Guildhall and the Royal Marines Band Service, who work together to create opportunities for children and young people to see and perform with professional musicians.
Alison Jeffery, Director of Children Services at Portsmouth City Council said: "I was delighted to learn that Portsmouth Music Hub has won the Music Education Council's Major Award for a second year running. This is a significant achievement and it demonstrates that music provision and cultural excellence continues to thrive in our city. Portsmouth Music Hub's success is testimony to the hard work, enthusiasm and the commitment of the Hub team, the schools, colleges and academies, and the many Hub partners who collaborate so effectively for the benefit of all the children and young people in Portsmouth."