02.04.2023: Lizzy Wood, a graduate from the University of Liverpool, is the winner of the Outstanding Music Academic Partnership Graduate Awards (OMG Awards).
UK Music’s Director of Education Dr Oliver Morris, with UK Music Futures Group Advisor Sandie Shaw with the winners, nominees and tutors at the OMG Awards 2023. Copyright: Jess Meade Photos/Sound City
The University of Liverpool graduate played an integral role in developing the university record label Merciful Sound. She also engaged in an impressive and comprehensive range of extra-curricular activity while studying, including fundraiser gigs, that collected over £2,000 for various charitable purposes. After graduating with a first-class honours, she secured an A&R full-time position at Polydor (UMG).
The award for UK Music’s Outstanding MAP Graduate of 2023 went to University of Liverpool’s Lizzy Wood.
Lizzy said:
“Thank you so much to UK Music for this award. It is incredibly humbling to have been put forward alongside such an incredible group of nominees, some of whom I have had the pleasure of working with.
“Abby and Ema trained me at Future Yard and so this award is most definitely shared with them. A special thanks also to Mat Flynn, whose support has been invaluable and for which I am ever so grateful for.
“Of course, I owe the biggest thanks to Liverpool and Birkenhead’s underground music scene which inspires me every day. There are too many examples of how amazing it really is, but I’d like the opportunity to shout out just a couple.
“Future Yard (music venue) and its team who understand and utilise music’s ability to drive social change, and Tash Evans at Queensway, who provides a thriving platform for Merseyside’s underrepresented artists in the electronic music scene. There’s so much good happening and it’s really cool!
“A huge thank you again. I am very flattered and I’m really excited to continue my work at Polydor alongside the greatest team.”
Head of Music Undergraduate Studies at the University of Liverpool, Dr Mathew Flynn said:
“Given the exceptional field of candidates, Lizzy Wood winning the 2023 OMG Award and Ema Gazdik receiving a special mention is a truly wonderful achievement.
“Like our esteemed colleagues at all the organisations in the Music Academic Partnership, the University of Liverpool’s Music Department and colleagues across our Careers and Employability teams work hard every year to equip and enable our students to fulfil their professional ambitions.
“Both Lizzy and Ema were beneficiaries of our degree’s numerous career development activities, and the work placement opportunities we offer across the Liverpool City Region’s vibrant music sector.
“On behalf of all of my colleagues, we are delighted to see Lizzy and Ema’s achievements recognised by UK Music, proud to have played a small part in their career journeys, and wish them, and all the other brilliant OMG nominees, many more successes in the future.”
Runners-up were Erin Millican from Buckinghamshire New University and Laura James from the University of Gloucestershire.
OMG Awards 2023 runner-up Laura James from the University of Gloucestershire with her award. Copyright: Tom Soper.
Special mentions went to Tendayi Mutongerwa from Point Blank, Ema Gazdík from the University of Liverpool and Sahil Batra from LCCM.
For the first time we also presented awards for MAP Tutor of the Year. Runner-up was James Warrender from Leeds Conservatoire and the winner was Pat Cotton from LCCM.
OMG tutor winner LCCM’s Pat Cotton (middle left), with OMG special mention Sahil Batra (middle right) and nominee Kathleen Frances (left), graduates from LCCM and LCCM Principal Anthony Hamer-Hodges. Copyright: Jess Meade Photos/Sound City
The awards took place at Phase One, Liverpool, on Thursday April 27. Eurovision and music legend Sandie Shaw presented the winners award, which were run in partnership with Sound City, the independent festival for new music.
Becky Ayres from Sound City gave the welcoming address and Nina Radojewski from AIM, UK Music’s Education & Skills Committee Chair, presented the other awards, along with Dr Oliver Morris, UK Music’s Director of Education. After the awards ceremony AIM members joined for a networking evening.
UK Music’s Director of Education Dr Oliver Morris presenting the OMG Awards with AIM’s Nina Radojewski, UK Music’s Education & Skills Committee Chair. Copyright: Hannah McLennan.
Dr Oliver Morris said:
“The OMG Awards night gives us a chance to recognise the achievements of graduates.
“The calibre is really strong every year, so I was very pleased that this year we could offer an automatic place on the UK Music Futures Group to the winner and I’m sure they will relish the opportunity to get involved in this excellent group.
“The awards this year also gave us an opportunity to celebrate the tireless and vital work done by the tutors.
“This amazing group of professionals support and nurture the next generation of the music industry often under immense pressure and deserve to be recognised at the highest level.
“Huge thanks to all involved to make the night such a success and congratulations again to all the nominees and tutors – you are absolute stars!”
UK Music’s Future Group Advisor Sandie Shaw presenting the award to the OMG winner. Copyright: Hannah McLennan.
Katie Mcloughlin attended the event on behalf of the Futures Group. Sandie Shaw is also an advisor to the Group.
More pictures from the event can be found here.
You can read more about all the nominees here.
Find out more about our Music Academic Partnership here.
Find out more about the UK Music Futures Group here.
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