University News Last updated 10 April
The Learning and Participation (LEAP) Ensemble recently performed to more than 2,600 primary schoolchildren through an ongoing partnership between RBC and Leicestershire Music.
The LEAP Ensemble, made up of students, staff and alumni dedicated to inspiring young people across the UK, visited primary schools across Leicestershire last month to offer music education opportunities for young people.
RBC and Leicestershire Music have worked together to bring fun, interactive performances, music workshops and other music education opportunities to children across the county over the course of the past six years.
This year’s performance included a piece called On Track that had been composed for the show by Head of Learning and Participation Richard Shrewsbury and Teaching Fellow in Outreach and Professional Development Jeremy Clay.
On Track uses an accompanying tutorial video, featuring body percussion and vocal sounds, which is viewed and learned by all the children and staff in schools prior to their arrival. The piece combines audience participation with the full orchestra sounds of the LEAP Ensemble, resulting in a stadium-like feeling of making music together.
Other pieces included an introduction to opera with Mozart’s Papagena song through to Sam Ryder’s Eurovision song, Spaceman.
The LEAP Ensemble has performed alongside more than 600 talented young musicians and to audiences of more than 6,500 people this year alone.
The ensemble will be working with the Richard Shephard Music Foundation to bring music to 450 children from across York and its surrounding areas, and as part of the Stoke 100 celebrations at Victoria Hall alongside 350 young musicians.
Learning and Participation Project Support Officer Ben Jones commented: “The LEAP Ensemble is passionate about bringing diverse genres of music to diverse audiences. Every year we have the pleasure of working alongside some of the most talented young musicians across the UK, many of whom will never have experienced performing in such a high-quality inclusive orchestra and to audiences that are so excited and engaged in their music.
“The Ensemble provides a vital element of RBC student’s training, through first-hand experiences of working with young musicians and performing to different audiences.”