Bristol Beacon is a symbol of hope and community. A focal point for music in the city. A gathering space, illuminating the way ahead. A place of welcome, warmth and light. An open invitation to the city for everyone to come and share in the joy of live music.
Since 1867 we have been at the heart of Bristol’s cultural life. We are so proud and grateful to have played such an important role in our city and the lives of our audiences for so long.
Some of the world’s biggest music stars have performed on our stage, including The Beatles, David Bowie, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Blondie and Bob Dylan. As well as thousands of Bristolians through our schools and creative learning programmes.
Our ongoing c.£50 million transformation is set to create the world-class music centre that Bristol deserves.
Through Bristol Plays Music, the music education hub for the city, we aim to make Bristol the ‘UK Capital of Young People’s Music’.
Read more about our impact below. We are currently working on updated reports and figures for 2019-20.
Bristol Music Trust Annual Report 2017-18
Bristol Music Trust Annual Report 2016-17
Bristol Music Trust Annual Report 2015-16
Bristol Music Trust Annual Report 2014-15
Bristol Music Trust Annual Report 2013-14
Bristol Music Trust Annual Report 2012-13
Bristol Music Trust Annual Report 2011-12
The Family Arts Campaign is a national Sector Support Organisation funded by Arts Council England to raise family engagement with arts and culture. They focus on increasing the amount and range of artistic work available to families, the quality of experience and improving marketing to reach more families.
Bristol Music Trust has signed up to The Family Arts Standards which gives clear guidance on how best to welcome families to arts organisations.
Attitude is Everything Silver Award – Charter of Best Practice
Attitude is Everything improves Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music by working in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry to implement a Charter of Best Practice across the UK. We help the music industry to understand the requirements of Deaf and disabled people at live music events by building equality into the strategic process. The ethos of the Charter is that Deaf and disabled people should be as independent as they want to be at live music events.
Bristol Dementia Action Alliance are part of an alliance of groups throughout the UK, working towards enabling communities to become more Dementia aware.
Bristol Beacon is a holder of The Purple Angel to mark our efforts to further spread Dementia Awareness.
2017 Third Sector Director of the Year
Louise Mitchell, Chief Executive, Bristol Music Trust
Institute of Directors South West
Louise was pitched against stiff competition from across the South West but the judges commended her strong leadership and clear vision and granted her the prestigious award.
Nick Sturge, IoD SW Regional Chairman, said: “Louise is an experienced leader with a very strong, clear and insightful vision for the venue as well as the wider cultural economy in Bristol. Her impressive application shows excellent business understanding, belief and persuasion to allow consistent and proven results within a difficult climate yet with obvious positive impact for the future.”
2017 Patrick Hayes Award
Louise Mitchell, Chief Executive, Bristol Music Trust
International Society for the Performing Arts Awards
Patrick Hayes was the founding president of the International Society for the Performing Arts Foundation, originally established in 1948 as the National Association of Concert Managers. The Patrick Hayes Award, the only award from an ISPA member to an ISPA member, recognises an ISPA member of long standing and continued involvement whose achievements in arts management are deserving of special praise and recognition.
Winner of the Music Education Council Major Award
Music Teacher Awards for Excellence 2017
“Here’s a hub that takes its cues from the Stanford principles of collective impact and collaborative action: easy to say, but hard to pull off. We thought Bristol Plays Music were already well on the road to success, especially with its flagship inclusion strategy A new ambition for inclusive excellence, which has set itself the challenge of transforming music education for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, and for looked after children.”
Winner of Best Print Resource Award for Get on Board: Music Curriculum for Bristol
Music Teacher Awards for Excellence 2017
Winner of the Paritor Award for Creative Music Technology
Music Education Council Awards 2015
Finalist of the Music Education Council Major Award
Music Teacher Awards for Excellence 2018 & 2016
Finalist of Best Classical Music Education Initiative for Monteverdi 450 Project
Music Teacher Awards for Excellence 2018
Finalist of Best Digital Resource for Bristol Minute of Listening
Music Teacher Awards for Excellence 2018
Finalist of Best SEND Resource Award for A New Ambition for Inclusive Excellence
Music Teacher Awards for Excellence 2017
Customer Service Excellence Award
Between 2009 and 2018 Bristol Music Trust was awarded the Customer Service Excellence Award. The award aims to bring professional, high-level customer service concepts into common currency with every customer service by offering a unique improvement tool to help those delivering services put their customers at the core of what they do.
Attitude is Everything – Outstanding Attitude Award
Music charity Attitude is Everything’s inaugural Outstanding Attitude Awards recognises Charter of Best Practice venues and festivals at the forefront of creative and innovative access provision for Deaf and disabled audiences.
Bristol Beacon received the award for Fast Forward Festival: a pioneering conference and series of performances that put accessible music-making centre-stage, and involved significant changes to the building and investment in staff training.
South West Tourism – Access and Inclusivity Bronze Award 2015/16
Any tourism business that excels in being accessible and inclusive, and can demonstrate exceptional customer service to all, particularly those with impairments and other access needs ie mobility, auditory, sensory or dietary.
On Wednesday 23 September 2020 Colston Hall changed its name to Bristol Beacon.
Our new name is just the first step, it is about more than the sign above our door. Click below to find out more about how we’re changing, watch our name announcement, and discover how we want everyone to share in the joy of live music.