Pupils handed keys to a world of great music

Around 1,500 Leeds primary-age pupils are taking part in a music education project aimed at introducing them to the piano.

It is a collaboration between the Leeds International Piano Competition and Live Music Now, which trains young professional musicians to work with groups of pupils who would not normally have the chance to see a live performance.

The schools will each have two visits from contrasting musical ensembles – one from a classical duo and the other from a jazz trio.

The “classical keys” workshop will feature The Glendower Duo (piano and clarinet) and Duo Zingara (piano and violin) while the “piano grooves” workshop will feature a Manchester- based jazz trio, the Andrew Stamatakis-Brown Trio, with a line-up of piano, drums and bass.

The musicians will explore repertoire covering more than 400 years of music, from Bach to ragtime, Mozart to funk and will give pupils an opportunity to experience live music of the highest quality as well as participate in performances and workshops.

Dame Fanny Waterman, chairman and artistic director of the Leeds International Piano Competition and also a patron of Live Music Now, said she hoped the pupils would enjoy finding out more about the piano and that some would be interested in learning to play.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for children to hear live music at such close quarters by fantastic young performers at the start of their careers.

“I hope that these workshops will inspire them and help develop a love for music which will remain with them for the rest of their lives.”

The 17th Leeds International Piano Competition is taking place between August 29 and September 16.

Details at www.leedspiano.com