Music Centres

If you’ve always wanted to play an instrument, want to improve your skills or join an ensemble, our Saturday Music Centres are open to all ages, so what are you waiting for? Sign up today!

More information

City of Leeds Youth Music Groups

If you know a young musician who has been playing an instrument for at least a year, take a look at our City of Leeds Youth Music ensembles! We run orchestras, jazz bands, wind bands and folk groups for under 19’s and they’re a great way to make new friends, improve your playing, and even go on international tours!

More information

Many people who join CLYO and CLYWO do so because of what they have heard about the groups from our current members, so please do share this with anyone you know who may be interested, as well as with your instrumental teachers. (Generally, you must be approximately grade 6 and above).

The auditions are open to all secondary students aged between 11) and 18 years old (You must be at or starting secondary school in September 2026)

The online application form can be found here (google form). Closing date 5pm Friday 15th May 2026.

https://forms.gle/ZCfz4faSafFyA6Jc9

Please find attached more information about the format of the auditions, however if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

https://artformsleeds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Audition-Information-Sheet-2026-27.pdf

Why not come along and meet the Members and Conductors at our Open Rehearsals:

Tuesday 28th April 2026

Leeds Youth Jazz Rock Orchestra (LYJRO) between 5.00pm and 7.00pm

Leeds Schools Wind Orchestra (LSWO)  between 5.15pm and 6.45pm

Friday 1st May 2026

Roots Alive, between 5.00pm and 6.30pm

Leeds Schools Brass Ensemble, between 5.15pm and 6.15pm

Leeds Schools String Orchestra, between 6.30pm and 8.00pm

City of Leeds Youth Training Orchestra, between 6.45pm and 8.45pm

Please see the desired ages and grades by clicking the links above.

Bring your instruments if you like and join in the rehearsals.

Please see our Friday Open Rehearsals groups by clicking here.

To confirm your place at the Open Rehearsals please email us at educ.artforms@leeds.gov.uk

Aged under 19 and play an instrument?

Why not come along to our Open Rehearsals on Tuesday 20th and Friday 23rd January 2026?

We are opening up places for:

Tuesday Groups:

• Leeds Schools Wind Orchestra
• Leeds Youth Jazz Rock Orchestra
• City of Leeds Youth Wind Orchestra (please note this group is subject to audition only)

Friday Groups:

• Leeds Schools’ String Orchestra
• Leeds Schools’ Brass Ensemble
• City of Leeds Youth Training Orchestra
• Roots Alive Folk Group
• City of Leeds Youth Orchestra (please note this group is subject to audition only)

Meet the conductors and members and see if the groups are right for you.

If you are interested, please email ArtForms at educ.artforms@leeds.gov.uk

The following concerts are taking place between now and the new year. Please click on each one for more information including time, date, location and where to purchase tickets:

• • 15/11/25 – City of Leeds Youth Wind Orchestra and City of Leeds Youth Training Orchestra Concert

  • 22/11/25 – City of Leeds Youth Orchestra at the Grammar School at Leeds

  • 01/12/25 – Winter Voices 1 (featuring Winter Voices Primaries Choir. two secondary guest choirs and the Leeds Youth Jazz Rock Orchestra

  • 02/12/25 – Winter Voices 2 (featuring Winter Voices Primaries Choir. two secondary guest choirs and the City of Leeds Youth Wind Orchestra)

• • 15/12/25 – City of Leeds Youth Orchestra perform a live soundtrack to the film: The Snowman and The Snow Dog

All of our players have been practising and rehearsing hard, so please join us to celebrate the season and help make their efforts worthwhile!

The new ‘Find Your Ensemble’ feature shows all the ensembles. You can use the filters to select your instrument, ability and age and it will show you only the ensembles which apply to you. From there, you can click on each ensemble for more information, including links to enrol.

You can find the ‘Find Your Ensemble’ in the main menu under ‘Music’, or head straight there now using this link: https://artformsleeds.co.uk/find-your-ensemble/

See the gallery of images from the performance by clicking here.

• Viola
• Trombone
• French Horn
• Percussion

Applicants must be aged between 11 and 18 years old (applicants must be at least starting secondary school or of secondary school age in September 2025) and generally grade 6 standard and above.

CLYO have an exciting year ahead, finishing with a tour to Spain.

If you play any of the instruments above and would like to audition for CLYO, please complete this google form – https://forms.gle/KCURLWK6hRGgnWQU8

The deadline is Friday 29^th August 2025.

The City of Leeds Youth Orchestra is not looking for applications for instruments other than those listed at this time.

Please contact educ.artforms@leeds.gov.uk if you have any questions.