A Stockport entrepreneur has won a prestigious industry award

20 Mar 2019 11:27

 

I can compose, a unique online music education platform founded by Rachel Shapey, was named the winner in the Outstanding Music Education Product category at the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence in London on March 6th.

 

 

The awards ceremony, which was held at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Hotel in Mayfair, celebrated the “best and brightest in performing arts education”, according to the organisers.

 

I can compose has already won a Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Award for disabled entrepreneurs in 2018, and Rachel, a former teacher, was also a finalist in the 2018 Enterprise Vision Awards.

 

Cameron Bray, editor of Music Teacher and organiser of the Music Teacher Awards, said: “Our judges were impressed by the detail of this resource, commenting that it was extensive, well presented and there’s a modern, up-to-date feel to it.”

 

Aimed at both students and teachers, the platform provides interactive step-by-step courses to help students compose music in a range of styles and genres.

 

Rachel uses tried and tested methods from her years of teaching composition at GCSE and A level to develop courses teaching everything from how to follow a score to how to compose a jazz piece.

 

The I can compose platform lets students find inspirational, fun and engaging tutorials to help them create their own compositions. It also allows teachers to access helpful, expert resources, either for free or at a low cost.

 

“I have been teaching music for 15 years and I haven’t come across anything so well-designed and carefully thought-out. The work my students have produced has far surpassed my expectations and given them confidence in the composition process,” says Diana Tarry, Director of Music at Blue Coat C of E School in Coventry.

 

Rachel says: “I am over the moon to have won the Outstanding Music Education Product category at the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence. To receive this recognition is the cherry on top after the warm reception I can compose has had over the last year from students, teachers and the wider music education community.”

 

“Since launching in the summer of 2018, we have been shortlisted for three awards, and I feel this reflects the unique platform that brings high-quality composing resources to students and teachers.”

 

“The aim of the site has always been to make composing fun and accessible, and I’m thrilled that pupils and teachers are enjoying using the site and gaining confidence in the composing process.”

 

“I have great plans for I can compose, including more courses and building an engaged community for music educators and aspiring composers.”

 

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