The service lent instruments free, set up opportunities to play in ensembles and appointed a range of musical specialists. It drew up minimum standards for woodwind, brass and strings, provided workshops to implement them.

Caerphilly

The service brought together all the authority’s arts-related activities into one division. Core tuition and the loan of instruments was free and the range and scope of in-service support was impressive. A wide range of genres were promoted in performances and workshops. Praise was given for the service’s success in including pupils with learning difficulties.

Gwynedd amp; Ynys Mon

The authorities provided workshops, performance and composition opportunities in a wide range of musical styles. They maintain 2,500 instruments for free loan. Professional development provision for peripatetic tutors has been introduced.

Hampshire

Eighty-five per cent of county schools entered into agreements which doubled the projected teaching hours purchased. The Primary Music Curriculum Project was accessed by all 450 primary schools. A jazz initiative and two steel-pan centres were started, and a “health check” list was drawn up for schools to evaluate their provision.

North Lanarkshire

North Lanarkshire embarked on a three-year project with Scottish Opera in four secondary schools exploring Wagner and the Ring Cycle. In addition to a full range of authority-wide orchestras and ensembles, area and school-based choral and instrumental groups have been set up. The authority was especially praised for its work with the community.

Northamptonshire

Among achievements in “an extremely busy year”, an opera was commissioned for 300 singers, instrumentalists and dancers, a vocal development officer was appointed to encourage boys to sing, four rock and pop centres were set up and 13 per cent of pupils received musical tuition.

Oxfordshire

The judges agreed with the Office for Standards in Education that Oxfordshire has “a very good music service”. Taster sessions were introduced as part of in-service training to help teachers extend their work to the youth service and adult and community education.

Southampton

The service serves particularly well the needs of disabled people and those with special educational needs. It has increased peripatetic staff and bought new instruments. There was praise for a music technology teaching and learning research base in a secondary school music department and the increased involvement of professional musicians.