I can compose, a unique online music education platform founded by entrepreneur Rachel Shapey, was named the winner in the Outstanding Music Education Product category at the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence in London on 6 March 2019.
I can compose has already won a Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Award for disabled entrepreneurs in 2018, and Shapey, a former teacher, was a finalist in the 2018 Enterprise Vision Awards.
Using tried and tested methods from Rachel Shapey’s years of teaching composition at GCSE and A level to develop courses teaching everything from following musical scores to composing a jazz piece, the I can compose platform provides interactive step-by-step courses to help students compose music in a range of styles and genres.
The platform lets students find fun and engaging tutorials to help them create their own compositions. It also allows teachers to access helpful, expert resources, either free or at a low cost.
Diana Tarry, Director of Music at Blue Coat C of E School in Coventry, said:
‘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.’
Making composing fun and accessible
Rachel Shapey said:
‘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.
‘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.’
