Leeds Junior Conservatoire students performed on a professional stage at a large-scale event to showcase talented young musicians from the Leeds area.
The celebration concert, held at Leeds’ first direct arena on 21 June, launched the 2023 Leeds Youth Music Festival. This annual festival is led by Leeds Music Education Partnership of which Leeds Junior Conservatoire is an active partner.
Leeds Junior Conservatoire student band, Hole in the Ceiling, performing at the celebration concert.
Photo credit throughout: Karen Gourlay
Leeds Music Education Partnership is the music education hub for Leeds. Working with schools and its partners, it aims to give all children and young people in Leeds the opportunity to learn an instrument, make music with others, to sing and to progress through levels of excellence.
Leeds Junior Conservatoire is a space for musicians aged 8 to 18 from Yorkshire and the North. It runs sessions every Saturday in term time, and short courses during the year such as Jazz Camp for Girls, Generation Big Band and 1 to 1 lessons. Its tuition isn’t limited to one style with classical, indie, jazz, musical theatre, pop, rock and more on offer. Students can play in a band, discover music production and learn about the wide range of opportunities in the music industry.
Being asked to take part in this celebration of youth music in the city as part of LEEDS 2023 was an honour. In total, over 700 children and young people took to the arena stage with groups including the City of Leeds Youth Orchestra, Leeds Youth Jazz Rock Orchestra and Leeds schools’ primary and secondary choirs.
Leeds Junior Conservatoire was represented by Hole in the Ceiling, a band featuring students on its advanced Performance + course: Abi (bass), Anna (flute), Ben (drums), Beth (keys/vocals), Grace (electric violin), Isaac (guitar) and Winnie (vocals). The band members have been working together since September with tutor Phil Hepworth. At the celebration concert they wowed the crowd with performances of ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’ and ‘Stuck In The Middle With You.’
Karen Gourlay, Head of Leeds Junior Conservatoire, said, “This has been a magical event, bringing together young people from across the city celebrating the breadth of music provision in Leeds and providing a stage for talented young musicians to shine. The young musicians from Leeds Junior Conservatoire loved the experience of playing in a large arena.
“I loved how supportive all the young people were of each other cheering and applauding all the performers. This will be a day that has inspired so many young people and created memories that will last a lifetime. It was a powerful reminder about why music education matters and how music changes lives.”
Paula Brookes, Head of Service at ArtForms and Leeds Music Education Partnership, added, “We are delighted that our partners Leeds Junior Conservatoire were able to contribute to the Leeds youth music celebration concert, and congratulate their band on a truly accomplished performance. We are proud that we were able to provide the opportunity for over 700 children and young people to perform on a professional stage and to see how they responded by supporting and inspiring each other.”
