Leeds Conservatoire has a range of fantastic in-house performance opportunities, coupled with high-profile partnerships to enrich your performance study experience.
Our students regularly perform at our state-of-the-art 350-seat concert hall and events space The Venue, or at one of the acclaimed pathway showcases in the 120-seat Recital Room. The conservatoire is also firmly rooted within the thriving local music and drama scenes, presenting countless opportunities across the city to demonstrate your talent.
Ensembles
Whatever your specialism, Leeds Conservatoire has an ensemble for you.
They include Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Contemporary Pop Choir and the New Music Collective.
The ensembles all perform regularly at The Venue and are in demand further afield, having performed with the likes of Marc Almond or taken to the stage with conductors and musical directors such as Mark De Lisser and Natalia Luis-Bassa.
Our current ensembles...
Chamber Orchestra
A scalable orchestra depending on the repertoire being performed, the Chamber Orchestra provides repertoire and training experience for instrumentalists.
Wind Ensemble
Exploring the smaller and larger forms of wind music, the Wind Ensemble emphasises the importance of ensemble playing in the overall training of woodwind, brass and percussion students.
Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
Comprised of experienced players, the Jazz Orchestra performs challenging, contemporary repertoire.
Watch a video of the CJO performing with guest musician Julian Arguelles
Contemporary Pop Choir
The Contemporary Pop Choir is a high-octane choral ensemble, showcasing unique and original arrangements of well-known rock and pop repertoire.
Winners of BBC1's Pitch Battle, Leeds Contemporary Singers, were borne out of this choir.
New Music Collective
Devoted to the performance of the most cutting edge and avant-garde contemporary music, the New Music Collective tackles a vast and exciting range of works including student compositions.
Student Union Ensembles
We also have a number of Student Union Ensembles for students to join. Our SU ensembles regularly undertake European tours and have recently performed in Germany, The Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
Platforms for performance
Whichever pathway you study, we have a platform for performance.
Drama students can expect a range of in-house, studio-based performance projects throughout their training, which are designed to develop professional practice working with guest industry professional directors, choreographers and musical directors.
Music students frequently perform at our in-house pathway showcases, and our many other regular nights, as well as further afield.
The Venue Concert Series
The Venue and Recital Room play host to Leeds Conservatoire eclectic concert season. Students play a vital part in the season, with many of the conservatoire's ensembles appearing in a varied programme that encompasses jazz, classical, contemporary and world music, orchestral, choral and big band concerts and small ensemble and solo recitals.
The concert season allows students to rub shoulders with global names through showcasing the work of graduates and alumni alongside emerging and international artists.
Past seasons have seen appearances from the likes of Frank Turner, Django Bates, Kathryn Stott, Giovanni Sollima, Charles McPherson, Mark Lanegan, Emily Portman, Gabriel Prokofiev and more.
Leeds International Concert Season
In conjunction with Leeds International Concert Season, Lunchtime Chamber Music is presented every Wednesday at The Venue, while an International Chamber Series is held throughout the year.
Gala Concert
Our end of year Gala showcase is the event of the year at Leeds Conservatoire, showcasing the breadth of talent across each pathway of study.
Crosswire
Crosswire is the bi-monthly showcase for Popular Music & Music Production. A hugely popular event amongst students, it is held in the Recital Room and often attracts local media attention.
Watch performances from the Crosswire Sessions
B-Side
B-side is our monthly jazz night at the Café Bar where students, staff and alumni are all on the bill and the audience can listen to and spin tunes from our jazz vinyl archive.
Aftershow at The Domino
A Musical Theatre and Jazz night in collaboration with professional performers. In November 2019, Aftershow is hosted at The Domino, in collaboration with the professional cast of We Will Rock You.
Professional Relationships
We have a history of working with large industry partners to offer high profile performance opportunities to our students.
Leeds Conservatoire students have performed at prestigious venues including the Royal Festival Hall, Steinway Hall, London Jazz Café and 606 Club, as well as high profile events including Sound City Liverpool, Leeds Festival, Alternative Great Escape, Manchester Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Eurosonic in the Netherlands, to name just a few.
Leeds Conservatoire Agency
The Leeds Conservatoire Agency provides our student and graduate community with a wide range of paid and experiential performance opportunities all year round.
We work with both local and national promoters as well as festivals to showcase new music and talent, and on average we generate over £40,000 worth of paid performance work per year with private bookings, weddings, parties and functions.
