27:10:2026: UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership (MAP) Celebrated Network’s Achievements With Awards Night in Manchester as a part of Un-Convention.
Partnering with Un-Convention, the awards night was the ninth iteration of the Outstanding MAP Graduate Awards – or OMGs as they are affectionately known – and saw a range of inspirational stories of success in music education and engagement.
The OMGs were established in 2016 to celebrate the best of the graduates of the MAP network. Over the subsequent years new awards have been added including the OM3s – celebrating those who have done well at level 3 or access to HE study – MAP Tutor of the Year (MAPTY), and Outstanding Contribution to Engagement Through Music (OCEM).
The evening was held at much-loved Manchester jazz venue Matt & Phred’s on October 20 with the after-party continuing at Gulliver’s at an Un-Convention showcase.
Presenting the awards were MPG and JAMES Director Andy Brook, founder of Un-Convention Jeff Thompson, UK Music COO Stephanie Haughton-Campbell and Chief Executive of UK Music Tom Kiehl. UK Music’s Director of Education and Skills Dr Oliver Morris MC’d the evening.
Dr Oliver Morris said: “A fantastic night was had by all and we are so honoured to yet again celebrate the amazing successes of our MAP network and their students.
He added: “Being able to partner with Un-Convention was fantastic and brought our MAP network and the music industry together again across both the wonderful evening of celebration and an inspiring day of industry discussion. I want to thank Jeff from Un-Convention in particular for his openness and generosity in working with us on the awards.
“Next year will be the 10th iteration of the OMG Awards – something that when I joined Uk Music 11 years ago was just the seed of an idea I had as a way to bring together the educator network and say “well done” from the music industry.
“It has grown into a fantastic evening and a true celebration of the MAP members and their students – proving that the music industry we represent truly is formed and nurtured across the land in schools, colleges, youth clubs, community organisations, talent development bodies, and universities where art-practices are honed, project-management is trialled, and business-acumen is developed.
“It was especially wonderful to welcome nominees from as far afield as Northern Ireland and London, Wales and Manchester, Newcastle and Cornwall to the awards that really reflects the life-changing work being done by educators across the UK.
“I’m looking forward to next year’s 10th iteration and we will be planning something very special to mark this milestone!”
A full list of nominees and winners etc can be found here.
Photos from the OMG Awards night can be found seen here:
You can find out more about MAP here.
If you are interested in how UK Music could work with your institution / organisation, please contact Dr Oliver Morris at oliver.morris@ukmusic.org to discuss joining MAP.
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