University News Last updated 15 October
The Primary Winds Programme at Junior RBC has been shortlisted as a finalist within the Excellence in Primary/ Early Years (Music & Drama) Award category at the Music & Drama Education Awards 2027!
The Music & Drama Education Awards celebrate the extraordinary contribution made by practitioners, schools, charities and other organisations to the lives of children, young people and adults across the UK.
The Primary Winds Programme (PWP), launched in September 2025, is led by Dr Luan Shaw at the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Saturday afternoons. PWP is open to primary school children (ages 7-11/Years 3-6) who wish to learn a woodwind instrument (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, minibassoon, recorder). PWP caters for complete beginners alongside children who have already reached a level equivalent to Grade 2-5.
The ethos of the programme resonates with RBC’s wider mission to ‘empower students of all ages to reach their full potential, regardless of background or previous experience’. PWP expands and enhances Junior RBC’s overall provision by opening its doors to a wider demographic of young musical learners and removing barriers to participation. Numerous donors, charities and trusts contribute generously, to ensure that:
- there is no selection process or requirement to audition – children have direct entry to a world-class conservatoire;
- we can loan our growing stock of woodwind instruments to beginner pupils free of charge;
- we can offer full- or partial fees bursaries to families who can’t prioritise music but want their children to have a musical education.
PWP provides a rare opportunity to develop instrument-specific skills alongside wider musical skills on a woodwind instrument from an early age, on a Saturday afternoon all under one roof, thus complementing (rather than replacing) the valuable opportunities children can access in school and via local music education hubs during the week. Crucially, all PWP participants play as part of an ensemble from day one.
Across 2025-6, PWP participants performed in three “sharing” events for family members. Solo and ensemble repertoire saw significant progression from single-note pieces with backing track in September to ‘Star Wars’ in July. Children grew in confidence through practising performance etiquette (introducing pieces verbally, bowing), sourcing/learning repertoire independently (including Careless Whisper and Spiderman!) and singing lyrics personalised to reflect their emerging musical identities.
To date, of 7 participants taking ABRSM exams, all have achieved Distinction grades, an exceptional achievement, especially for Grade 1 participants. Two participants have auditioned successfully for the National Children’s Orchestra, and two have gained places in Junior Conservatoire’s Classical programme.
Head of the Primary Winds Programme, Dr Luan Shaw said:
“Several children have taken instruments into school to perform to their peers on their own initiative. The demonstrable pride in PWP participants, instilled by the care and enthusiasm of tutors and parents alike, is carried forward by the children as they share the joy of their new skills. This boost to positivity has had a knock-on effect in participants’ sense of self-worth and on their mental health, as well as their in-school social interactions. Feedback (examples below drawn from a much longer list) highlights the positive impact the programme has had on factors such as confidence, social skills, behaviour, ability to concentrate, adaptability, creativity, socialisation (including making friends, listening to others, taking turns etc), and experiencing a sense of belonging. To see progress taking so many forms within and beyond the programme so early in its trajectory is hugely rewarding.”
"This programme has been well thought out. It not only provides an incredible opportunity to learn: it’s done in a nurturing environment where children feel supported and able to be themselves." [Parent]
"Primary winds programme change[d] my life because I got to make new friends and learn some songs in ensemble. I fell in love with saxophone because I got a wonderful teacher." [Young musician]
"We have seen [child] grow in confidence as a person and his musical learning has been super powered by the community of the small group lessons and larger ensemble sessions. The programme has also given him a sense of purpose and belonging." [Parent]
During a debate in the House of Lords on 20 May 2026, focusing on reducing the disadvantage attainment gap in music in state schools, Baroness Keeley (Labour) highlighted the important work of PWP, citing it to Government as an example of good practice:
“The Primary Winds Programme at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire helps to address this gap at primary level by offering free instrument loans, bursaries for beginners from low-income families and sustained musical training on Saturdays. What targeted action of that sort will the Government take to ensure that many more children from disadvantaged areas have the benefit of musical tuition in their school?”
We are grateful to Baroness Keeley for this recognition and vote of confidence, and hope that this heralds meaningful change at Government level in the longer term.
An additional unique benefit of PWP is that it helps develop the music education workforce by enabling woodwind students from senior RBC to participate in a professional placement where they observe and assist with PWP teaching. Coordinated by Dr Luan Shaw, this regulated activity aligns with the aims of her published research.
Emma Bryden, Head of Young RBC said:
“This recognition highlights the transformative role that accessible, high-quality music education can play in young people's lives. The Primary Winds Programme opens the door to extraordinary musical opportunities, enabling children to learn, perform and thrive within a conservatoire environment from an early age. We are immensely proud of the programme and of the young people, staff and supporters whose commitment has made its success possible.”
We hope that this recognition from the Music and Drama Education Awards will increase PWP’s visibility to more philanthropic donors interested in helping Junior RBC’s Primary Winds Programme to support retention and progression in lifelong musicianship for current and future generations.
Anyone interested in supporting the Primary Winds Programme with a financial gift, or a good quality instrument that goes unplayed, may contact RBC’s Head of Development Terry Gibson at conservatoire@bcu.ac.uk.