Performance and Events

All students on performance-based courses are assigned to a College ensemble, which will perform at various times throughout the year. College ensembles include the Symphony Orchestra, The Leeds College of Music Big Band, Omar Puente’s Latin Big Band, Jazz Combos, New Music Ensemble, Community Choral Society and Community Chamber Choir. Student ensembles are well known in Leeds and receive high acclaim, playing in bars and restaurants, and for a wide range of functions.

Students also perform regularly at regional and national venues. The College’s Outreach programme has seen bands play at the Jazz Café London, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and venues in Leeds such as The Hi-Fi Club, West Yorkshire Playhouse, The Wardrobe and The Light. This gives students the experience of performing a wide range of music in a professional environment.

The bar hosts a regular student programme of live music at lunchtimes during term time. Student recitals also take place during the week in the Recital Room.

Concert Season

Leeds College of Music contributes significantly to the artistic life of the region. The Venue, our 350-seat concert space, hosts the majority of events in the College’s Concert Season, which runs from September to May each academic year.

The annual programme includes a wide variety of styles encompassing jazz, classical, contemporary and world music, ranging in scale from orchestras, choirs and big bands, to small ensembles and solo recitals/concerts. Concerts also take place in the College’s Recital Room. Full-time Leeds College of Music students are offered discounted tickets on many of the concerts in the season.

Many Leeds College of Music ensembles perform during the Concert Season including the Community Symphony Orchestra, Latin Bands, Contemporary Jazz Orchestra and Big Band. The Season also presents the opportunity to hear what some of our graduates have been up to, as we invite many of our alumni to perform during the year.

In conjunction with Leeds International Concert Season, Lunchtime Chamber Music is presented every Wednesday at The Venue as well as an International Chamber Series held throughout the year.


The Venue has brought leading national and international artists to the city, ranging from established artists to newcomers, including:

Michael Nyman (pictured)
Jamie Cullum (pictured)
Courtney Pine
Polar Bear
Sir John Dankworth
Soweto Kinch
Dominic Miller
Amy Winehouse
Stacey Kent
Joanna MacGregor (pictured)
Enrico Rava
Clare Teal
Kenny Wheeler
Solveig Slettahjell
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble (pictured)
Tasmin Little
Colin Towns
Led Bib (pictured)
Neil Cowley Trio
Empirical
Dennis Rollins
June Tabor
Alan Barnes
Tim Garland
Snake Davis
Claire Martin
Gilad Atzmon
Norma Winstone
Denys Baptiste