Becky West, Regional Producer - North, on New Connections, our partnership programme with Leeds Conservatoire and Manchester Camerata, that combines student music leadership training with creative projects in local schools.

This year’s theme, Voyagers, resonated deeply with participants and the different journeys that led them to a life in Leeds.

New Connections is our multi-layered action learning programme with Leeds Conservatoire, combining student training in music leadership and a co-creative schools orchestral project with Manchester Camerata.

Using the learning from our pilot knowledge exchange project in 2023, we have developed a project model that integrates music leadership training with real-world project delivery alongside professionals. Reflective practice is embedded throughout, supporting students to understand the co-creative process and identify where they can improve and refine their skills and delivery.

We were delighted to bring Artforms into our partnership this year, working with them to identify a secondary and primary to take part from areas where young people are less likely to go to University. We used a co-design conversation with participating schools to identify an artistic theme for the project, Voyagers and set a co-creation brief.

Students interested in music leadership and the Conservatoire’s Orchestra then came together for skills training and a co-creation day with composer James Redwood and Manchester Camerata. The result was an impactful project song, We are the Voyagers, that resonated deeply with young people and the many different journeys that had led them to a life in Leeds.

The culmination concert in the Conservatoire, promoted as part of Sound Out Leeds, showcased positive musical progression pathways alongside bringing a new audience into the Conservatoire’s building, many of whom were experiencing live orchestral music for the first time. There were many enthusiastic young conductors, as young people’s front row seats enabled them to see up close how the conductor and orchestra work together. Audience feedback continued to be very positive.

Evidence demonstrated that taking part supported young people’s confidence and improved their artistic skills alongside positive impacts on wellbeing and their connection to other people.

Teachers noted pupils' progress in creativity and collaboration alongside improvements in confidence. The project also supported teacher’s professional development and thinking about how they use music within the classroom.

The participants developed a strong connection with the students from the Conservatoire, with lots of feedback asking them to come back. Following the project, the primary school student trio devised their own workshop offer to deliver with the school this term. It is heartening to see how they are already putting their music leadership skills and learning into practice. Plans are emerging for further opportunities for students to continue to develop their leadership using the new music created as part of the project.

Evaluation continues to show a range of positive social impacts delivered by New Connections, alongside introducing students to large-scale creative orchestral community projects.

Using the Social Value Engine, we calculated a social return on investment of £3.43 per £1 spent, delivering against 4 UN Sustainable Development Goals. New Connections continues to strengthen the Conservatoire’s connections to the community in Leeds and increase young people’s knowledge of higher education opportunities in the city.

As we embark on planning for this academic year, we’re looking forward to learning and evolving our approach to music leadership training for students and more fabulous new music created by the students and young people of Leeds.