Music Connect provides a programme of network groups, CPD and events designed specifically for music subject leaders. The Music Connect mission is to support all Leeds schools to deliver high quality music education, enabling all pupils to reach their musical potential.  Music Connect is delivered by ArtForms Music.

The Music Connect offer includes:

1. Music events for school students to participate in
2. CPD training opportunities for teachers and supporting staff, delivered by music specialists
3. Network meetings to support Music Leaders in all Leeds schools
4. Termly newsletters containing information about local and national opportunities for schools
5. The Digital Offer – fully funded memberships to online platforms containing music schemes of work, lessons and resources, designed to support teachers to deliver the music curriculum.  Schools can choose from Charanga, Sing Up, or Musical Futures, and have the option of purchasing memberships to a second platform with our hub discount.
6. Bespoke advice and guidance sessions in your school

The new Music Connect training and events programme for 2025-6 can be found here:

Music Connect Events:

• The Secondary Sing led by Craig Lees – Fri 13/03/26 –  Sign up invitation emailed to schools – January 2026.
• Live @ The Wardrobe – for secondary school bands – Thurs 09/07/26 – Sign up invitation emailed to schools – April 2026.
• Leeds Youth Orchestra performance for KS4 and 6th Form – TBC – Sign up invitation emailed to schools – April 2026.

Music Connect Networks and CPD:

• Music Subject Leader Development Meeting 1 – Mon 13/10/25 – S
• 
  econdary: Music Subject Leader Development Meeting | Leeds for Learning
• Music Subject Leader Development Meeting 2 – Fri 6/02/26 – Secondary: Music Subject Leader Development Meeting | Leeds for Learning
• Music Subject Leader Development Conference 2 – Tues 23/06/26 – Secondary: Music Subject Leader Development Meeting | Leeds for Learning

Leeds for Learning Newsletters:

The newsletter is emailed to all Music Leaders.  Leeds for Learning request up to date contact details for all subjects at the beginning of a new school year.  Please also update the ArtForms admin team (EDUC.ArtForms@leeds.gov.uk) if your school has a new Music Leader.

• Secondary Music Newsletter 1 – Mon 22/09/25
• Secondary Music Newsletter 2 – Mon 26/01/26
• Secondary Music Newsletter 3 – Fri 01/05/26

More dates will be added this half term including CPD for Music Leaders.

Music Connect is funded by ArtForms as a consortium partner of the West Yorkshire Music Hub, so Leeds schools and academies can access the programme at no charge.  Unfortunately, due to rising costs, and a reduction in funding, some of the mass performance events this year will incur a nominal charge per child.  We continue to try and keep the costs down for schools, while at the same time maintaining the quality that schools expect for our events.  All staff CPD, network groups, the conference and the digital offer, remain fully funded by ArtForms and the hub and so have no cost to schools.

For further information or queries about Music Connect, including in-school training and support, please contact Sam.Mercer@leeds.gov.uk – Assistant Head, Music Connect, or Jane.Roe@leeds.gov.uk – Secondary Music Connect Support.

Sam Mercer – Assistant Head, Music Connect, ArtForms

Music Connect provides a programme of network groups, CPD and events designed specifically for music subject leaders and non-specialist class teachers.  The Music Connect mission is to support all Leeds schools to deliver high quality music education, enabling all pupils to reach their musical potential.  Music Connect is delivered by ArtForms Music.

The Music Connect offer includes:

1. Music events for school children to participate in
2. CPD training opportunities for teachers and supporting staff, delivered by music specialists
3. Network meetings to support Music Leaders in all Leeds schools
4. Half termly newsletters containing information about local and national opportunities for schools
5. The Digital Offer – fully funded memberships to online platforms containing music schemes of work, lessons and resources, designed to support all teachers to deliver the music curriculum.  Schools can choose from Charanga, Sing Up, Sparkyard from Out of the Ark or Musical Futures, and have the option of purchasing memberships to a second platform with our hub discount
6. Bespoke advice and guidance sessions in your school

The new Music Connect training and events programme for 2025-6 can be found here (Event – Date – How to sign up?)

Music Connect Events:

• Winter Voices 1 featuring primary choirs – Mon 01/12/25 – Sign up invitation emailed to schools w/c 22nd September.
• Winter Voices 2 featuring primary choirs – Tue 02/12/25 – Sign up invitation emailed to schools w/c 22nd September.
• The Key Stage 1 Little Sing – Fri 20/03/26 – Sign up invitation emailed to schools – January 2026.
• NEW!  Primary Big Sing for KS2 Choirs – Fri 26/06/26 – Sign up invitation emailed to schools – February 2026.
• Big Samba Teacher Workshop – Mon 27/04/26 – Sing up invitation emailed to schools – March 2026.
• Primary Big Samba Performance – Fri 10/07/26 – Sign up invitation emailed to schools – March 2026

Music Connect Networks and CPD:

• Role of the Primary Music Leader – CPD – Mon 06/10/25 – The Role of the Primary Music Leader 25/26 | Leeds for Learning
• Primary Music Leaders Network 1 – Mon 20/10/25 – Primary Music Leaders Network 1 – 25/26 | Leeds for Learning
• EYFS Music CPD for all EYFS teachers and teaching assistants – Mon 12/01/26 – TBC
• Inclusion in the Music Classroom – Ben Sellers – Mon 02/02/26 – TBC
• Primary Music Leaders Network 2 – Mon 09/02/26 – Primary Music Leaders Network 2 – 25/26 | Leeds for Learning
• Primary Music Leaders Conference – Fri 15/05/26 – Primary Music Leaders Conference – 25/26 | Leeds for Learning

Leeds for Learning Music Newsletters:

The newsletter is emailed to all Music Leaders. Leeds for Learning request up to date contact details for all subjects at the beginning of a new school year. Please also update the ArtForms admin team (EDUC.ArtForms@leeds.gov.uk) if your school has a new Music Leader.

• Primary Music Newsletter 1 – Mon 22/09/25
• Primary Music Newsletter 2 – Mon 24/11/25
• Primary Music Newsletter 3 – Mon 26/01/26
• Primary Music Newsletter 4 – Mon 16/03/26
• Primary Music Newsletter 5 – Fri 01/05/26
• Primary Music Newsletter 6 – Mon 22/06/26

More dates will be added this half term including CPD for Music Leaders.

Music Connect is funded by ArtForms as a consortium partner of the West Yorkshire Music Hub, so Leeds schools and academies can access the programme at no charge. Unfortunately, due to rising costs, and a reduction in funding, some of the mass performance events this year will incur a nominal charge per child. We continue to try and keep the costs down for schools, while at the same time maintaining the quality that schools expect for our events. All staff CPD, network groups, the conference and the digital offer, remain fully funded by ArtForms and the hub and so have no cost to schools.

For further information or queries about Music Connect, including in-school training and support, please contact Sam.Mercer@leeds.gov.uk – Assistant Head, Music Connect, or Claire.Rivers@leeds.gov.uk – Primary Music Connect Support.

Sam Mercer – Assistant Head, Music Connect, ArtForms

Due to the success of our previous Autumn project, Leeds City Art Gallery and Leeds Music Education Partnership (LMEP) have teamed up once again to bring you an immersive Arts project which all schools can register a class for during the summer term. This FREE Art and Music project is aimed at KS2 and KS3 children and will take place in Leeds Art Gallery on selected dates in the summer term.

Project outline:

• This project will link Art activities with music composition and improvisation through a common theme.
• Leeds Art Gallery will host an online gallery visit for each visiting school, and introduce the themes of the visit and provide interactive activities prior to the session at the Gallery.
• A morning or afternoon visit for a designated class to the Art gallery either on Friday 28th June or Friday 12th July, which will include an opportunity to make music and art in the gallery space, and gives the chance for children to explore the latest Art exhibition at the gallery.

The project is fully funded by Leeds Art gallery and LMEP, and you will be able to get support with transport costs to the Art Gallery via LMEP’s innovative grant. Two-form entry schools are welcome to take part. To register your interest, please email LMEP.ArtForms@leeds.gov.uk and state your preferred date.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Truscott at LMEP.ArtForms@leeds.gov.uk or Amanda Philips Amanda.Philips@leeds.gov.uk.