Two brand new pieces of orchestral music, composed by school children from South Leeds, were brought to life on stage last week in a heart-warming celebration of creativity and collaboration.
The music, written by pupils from Hugh Gaitskell Primary School and Cockburn School, had its world premiere at The Venue, the 350-seat concert hall at Leeds Conservatoire. And this wasn’t just any school concert – the young composers performed their music live alongside the professional musicians of the acclaimed Manchester Camerata.
The project, called New Connections, is a unique partnership between Leeds Conservatoire and Orchestras Live. It offers students a taste of real-world experience in orchestral community music-making, supported by Leeds International Concert Season and ArtForms.
This time around, the theme was Voyagers, with students from both schools taking part in a musical journey like no other. After weeks of preparation, the pupils finally met in person at Leeds Conservatoire on the day of the concert. There, they spent the afternoon rehearsing and soaking up the excitement of working with a full orchestra for the first time.
As the lights dimmed and the audience settled in for the evening performance, anticipation filled the air. One of the standout moments came when Hugh Gaitskell Primary School joined the orchestra for Sail to Distant Shores, followed by Cockburn School’s bold and imaginative piece, Ages of The Evolution. For many of the children, it was their first time on stage, and the thrill was unforgettable.
Leanne Amos, Director of Music at Cockburn Multi Academy Trust, said it was a powerful and inspiring experience for her students.
“It has been an amazing experience working on this project. The students have learned so much about how to work well as an ensemble, how to listen and share ideas and how to compose different parts,” she said.
“They were particularly impressed when they saw all of their ideas notated in a score. There has been a real buzz around the department and school about this project with students asking questions or discussing what is next. This project has engaged Year 7 students who are quiet or struggle with school on a day to day basis and has given them something to be proud of.”
At Hugh Gaitskell Primary School, the sense of pride was just as strong. Headteacher Kate McNulty said the experience had been nothing short of transformative.
“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,” she said.
“They have enjoyed every single moment of this journey. We now see emerging young musicians who feel empowered and inspired. Our heartfelt thanks go to composer James Redwood, the exceptional Manchester Camerata, Orchestras Live and the talented students from Leeds Conservatoire for making this extraordinary experience possible and for bringing our Voyagers programme to life.”
The concert also featured a mix of popular orchestral pieces performed by Manchester Camerata, including family favourites from How to Train Your Dragon, West Side Story and Pirates of the Caribbean – a joyful reminder of how orchestral music can capture the imagination of all ages.
For Leeds Conservatoire, the event was a proud moment, showcasing what can happen when education and the arts come together.
Patsy Gilbert, Vice Principal at Leeds Conservatoire, said, “Many of the students we have studying with us at the conservatoire started their music journey in brilliant schools music programmes and with passionate, driven teachers who understood that music and creativity can be the key to unlocking their potential.
“This New Connections project is an extension of that, demonstrating professional ensembles and education can come together to create truly life changing experiences for young people. Not only in developing musical skills, but also developing self-expression, creativity and confidence – all things young people need more and more.”
With young talent taking centre stage and leaving audiences inspired, this project has shown that the future of music in Leeds is in very good hands.
For more about Leeds Conservatoire, visit leedsconservatoire.ac.uk. To learn more about Orchestras Live, go to orchestraslive.org.uk.
