UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 16 MAY
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s flagship outreach ensemble, the RBC LEAP Ensemble, consisting of students, alumni and staff, has performed and coached more than 250 talented young musicians across the UK on a large outreach tour.
The RBC LEAP Ensemble has been active since 2016 and is well known for its engaging performances alongside young musicians across the UK, many of whom go onto study at RBC.
The ensemble worked alongside young instrumentalists and singers from Gloucestershire Music, Lancashire Music, Guildhall Young Musicians Norwich and Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust.
The RBC LEAP Ensemble spent a day with the young musicians in each location, running interactive warm-up games, instrumental sectional rehearsals and full orchestra rehearsals with specially commissioned arrangements.
This culminated in a large scale, fully produced sharing event for parents and other staff within the services or centre. The setlist contained a wide variety of styles of music including Spaceman by Sam Ryder, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and Toreador Song from Carmen.
Watch a video of one of the RBC LEAP Ensemble performances.
Associate Professor of Music Education Richard Shrewsbury said: “The impact of the RBC LEAP Ensemble on young musicians is huge at these events. We know that it’s these inspirational moments when professionals, students and young musicians come together, that can be the catalyst for them to want to continue with music as part of their future and for many as a potential career path.”
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Music said: “A huge thank you to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Learning and Participation for a fantastic day of music-making.”
A parent gave the following feedback: “Well done all, it was a great day. My daughter was very inspired by you all."