We’re delighted to have started working with Leeds Conservatoire developing a three-year partnership to enhance Conservatoire students skills training with early career experience in orchestral community music making.

This exciting collaboration, New Connections, will see Conservatoire students working on a number of projects in Leeds, gaining skills and expertise in music leadership in community settings through an action learning programme.

Working with Manchester Camerata

Our first partnership project with Manchester Camerata includes:

• In depth skills development training from leading music leaders James Redwood and Amina Hussain and Manchester Camerata musicians and attending our Skills Lab North.
  
• Creative projects putting students’ skills into practice as part of the artistic team working with a range of community groups to co-create new orchestral music.
  
• Co-designing and delivering a culmination concert with community groups, Manchester Camerata and members of Leeds Conservatoire New Music Collective, premiering the new music at The Venue, Leeds Conservatoire.
  
• External evaluation of the project’s outcomes, co-creation process and learning to enable partners to co-design future programmes tailored to student and community needs.

New community partnerships and links

We are delighted to be building new community partnerships through New Connections. Leeds Conservatoire students and Manchester Camerata will be working with:

• Made with Music and Leeds Down Syndrome Network Sunshine and Smiles family music group to explore and develop their creative music making and fun intergenerational musical experiences.

• Meeting Point’s weekly Women’s Group for refugees in Leeds exploring stories and song writing to support their wellbeing and build connections to the city’s cultural scene.

• Burley and Woodhead Church of England Primary School. to support their creative development through fun, creative, musical experiences, enabling children from a more rural area to access Leeds’ cultural and Higher Education institutions.

Supporting skills development for music leaders and musicians

This partnership is a key part of Orchestras Live’s strategic plan, supporting both workforce development and our community focused, creative way of working, which aligns to Arts Council England’s Let’s Create strategy.

Our new three-year strategy continues to focus on providing training and skills development for music leaders and musicians, nurturing new talent entering the sector.

Through this partnership, we hope to support Leeds Conservatoire students to develop their creative skills as they enter the profession and build links in their local communities. This will enable students to effectively support participants to develop their creativity and improve their wellbeing through creative orchestral music making.