College gives Leeds ‘choir school’ one of its pianos

St Anne’s Catholic Primary in Chapeltown is aiming to become the first state primary “choir school” in the country and may eventually change its name to Leeds Cathedral Choir School.

Leeds College of Music makes an annual grant to the Leeds Diocesan Trust, which helps provide a Choral Director to the school, and will now be donating one of its pianos for the school to use on site.

Students from the college will also help run workshops and mentor the schoolchildren to help improve their singing.

The college’s principal and managing director Professor Philip Meaden said: “The partnership between the school and Leeds College of Music will allow the Conservatoire to fulfil part of its commitment to widening participation. Access to chorale practice can sometimes be limited, and we’re pleased to be able to give the opportunity of equality in learning.”

Ben Saunders, director of music, for the Diocese of Leeds said: “A primary focus of the choir school project is to raise the academic attainment, self-confidence and ultimately the life chances of the children in inner city Leeds through music education. Working with LCoM in training their music educators of the future with practical classroom experience provides a innovative and mutually enriching opportunity for the choir school pupils and college students.”