About Leeds College of Music

Leeds College of Music, with over 1,000 full-time and 1,500 part-time students, is the only specialist music college to offer both Higher and Further Education courses. The College provides a unique opportunity for students to progress from BTEC courses through to Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees.

Students are taught in a vibrant and creative atmosphere by academic staff at the forefront of their fields. The College provides the highest quality education and training to help each individual student fulfil their potential and achieve a career as a professional musician.

History

Leeds College of Music began life as Leeds Music Centre in 1965, providing a range of musical activities for the city. The Centre became the City of Leeds College of Music in 1971, before moving to its current purpose-built Quarry Hill home in 1997 and establishing itself as Leeds College of Music.

In its early years the College built its reputation on pioneering jazz education at a time when this was a radical thing to do, and it has continued to maintain its reputation as a leader in jazz education. Since then the diversity of music offered has developed, but the College remains committed to being an internationally respected voice in the world of jazz.

Now Leeds College of Music champions not just jazz, but classical music, popular music and music production, and with all genres taking place within close quarters there is a vibrant culture which fosters shared and varied musical experiences crossing the genre boundaries.

International

The College benefits from its position within a city that has a great musical heritage. Leeds is known throughout the world for the Leeds International Piano Competition, founded in 1963 by Dame Fanny Waterman. The triennial Leeds Conductors’ Competition, organised by Leeds City Council, is one of only a few in the UK and exists to support young British conductors at the start of their careers.

Internationally Leeds has also become known as the home of the Kaiser Chiefs and Corinne Bailey Rae, artists who have achieved world-wide recognition without losing their Yorkshire accent.

Provision of music in the city is outstanding, with live venues offering programmes for every musical taste. The city has particular attractions for students on our classical and jazz programmes, with Opera North, Leeds International Concert Season and Jazz Yorkshire providing opportunities to hear musicians at the very top of their profession.

Pioneering

The College has a pioneering approach to training the musicians of the future, and remains responsive to the changing needs of the profession and employers. Embracing the technological advances within the music industry, the College was one of the first institutions to establish a highly developed and extensive programme of music technology and production courses.

Students studying on music production courses are taught in state-of-the-art studios, and the College continually looks for new ways to educate future musicians and diversify its approach to music.