LMEP, led by ArtForms were delighted to create the following musical opportunities for secondary students as part of the Leeds Youth Music Festival in the summer term last year.
Youth Music Celebration Concert
On Thursday 7th July 2022, six Leeds Secondary Schools took part in an exciting day funded by LMEP and hosted by the Leeds Conservatoire of Music. The schools involved were Leeds West Academy, Ralph Thoresby School, Temple Moor High School, Co-op Academy Leeds and two of the Springwell Academies (North and East).
The day began with pupils attending a Latin American Percussion workshop led by Jonny Enright from Leeds Conservatoire. They then experienced a professional sound check in The Venue, in preparation for the evening event. The pupils had a wonderful time taking in life at the Conservatoire and having fun with other music students from schools from across the city.
The highlight of the day was the concert that evening. The Venue was full, with friends, parents and staff showing their support as each group performed their music. They were also joined by Leeds Youth Singers, Roots Alive and a Conservatoire band. The concert was a fantastic experience for everyone involved and pupils left saying they will remember it as a real highlight of their time at school.
Leeds Symphony Orchestra Schools Concert
On Monday 11th July 2022, ten schools attended The Grammar School at Leeds to watch a concert given by Leeds Symphony Orchestra, funded by LMEP. The schools were Royds, Leeds Co-op Academy, Dixons Unity Academy, Lawnswood, Leeds East Academy, Trinity Academy Leeds, Otley Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Roundhay School and Wetherby School.
Over 300 students enjoyed listening to a varied programme including Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 and Dvorak’s Symphony No.8. The audience had fun joining in with the orchestra with some body percussion activities led by the orchestra’s conductor, John Lyon. John also explained lots of details about the music providing the students with a greater understanding of what they were listening to throughout the evening.
It was very clear that the students enjoyed the event, particularly the experience of attending a live concert after the last two years of the pandemic. When asked how many of the audience had ever attended a live concert before, it was apparent that almost all of the students had not. Many thanks to Leeds Symphony Orchestra for offering this opportunity to our students. Watch this space as we intend to organise a similar event for Summer 2023.
