What we've been up to: April 2025
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Find out what we've been up to recently.
Able Orchestra
We celebrated the collaboration between Able Orchestra and Orchestra of the Swan with UNLOCKED, an unforgettable concert at Nottingham Contemporary, part of this year’s Soundstage festival.
Since February, young pioneers from Able Orchestra have worked closely with Orchestra of the Swan and Kris and Nicci Halpin of Dyskinetic to co-create a brand-new piece inspired by Spring from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
Through a series of workshops, the group explored new musical possibilities through improvisation, blending digital and acoustic instruments in inventive ways. The result was a truly spectacular soundscape complemented with visuals co-produced with artist Bec Smith.
The performance was a moving experience. An audience of 150 were taken on a multi-layered journey of sound, visuals, and digital interaction, complete with a sensory corner and VR experiences! The music was phenomenal, and the emotional energy in the room spoke volumes about the power of this project.
Inspired by Earthcycle, Orchestra of the Swan’s touring concert, this collaboration showcased bold approaches to music-making and highlighted the potential of inclusive, multisensory creativity.
As Able Orchestra approaches its 10th anniversary as an inclusive ensemble originally formed by Inspire Youth Arts and Orchestras Live, this new phase sees the Pioneers take the lead in defining the ensemble’s creative future. We're excited to see what's next!
Partners: Orchestra of the Swan, Inspire Youth Arts, Dyskinetic and Inspire Youth Arts.
Viva in the Village
Four playful, participant-centred music workshops took place across three villages in Babergh, welcoming young children with their parents or grandparents alongside older residents.
Led by music leader Jessie Grimes and musicians from Sinfonia Viva, the workshops introduced participants to live music and offered the chance to contribute to a community song, originally created by local residents. This song will be performed as part of an upcoming concert at Holy Trinity Church in Long Melford, featuring a nine strong ensemble – with all workshop participants warmly invited to attend.
New Connections
New Connections culminated in a joyful celebration with a vibrant concert from Manchester Camerata and Leeds Conservatoire’s orchestra.
Two original pieces, co-created by students from two Leeds schools, were brought to life by young performers, guided by Trainee Student Music Leaders from Leeds Conservatoire under the expert direction of Music Leader James Redwood.
The exciting musical programme culminated in the combined forces performing The Voyagers, an uplifting song co-created by Leeds Conservatoire students celebrating the voyagers theme our schools chose.
Kate McNulty, Headteacher at Hugh Gaitskell Primary School said:
The New Connections project has been truly transformative for our pupils. Through composing and performing their own music to a live audience, our children have grown in confidence, creativity, and self-belief. They have enjoyed every single moment of this journey. We now see emerging young musicians who feel empowered and inspired.
New Connections provides opportunities for students at Leeds Conservatoire to develop their music leadership skills and experience through an action learning approach. Students joined the professional team from Manchester Camerata to deliver the creative project and were supported through mentoring and reflective practice to develop their skillset.
This collaborative musical journey cemented our partnerships in Leeds, with tutors from ArtForms supporting creative project delivery and enabling us to explore further work to build on the project’s legacy and enhance our trainee music leaders’ skills development opportunities.
Presented as part of the Leeds International Concert Season, the concert welcomed community members across the city into the Conservatoire to enjoy an uplifting orchestral experience.