Keyboard Studies Programme
The Keyboard Studies Programme was launched to provide high-quality organ and piano tuition across the Diocese to choristers, school pupils and adult learners and now works with over 1000 children each week. With a national decline in students learning the organ, the programme aims to reintroduce this instrument steeped in tradition to students of all backgrounds, teaching them valuable musical skills and opening doors to opportunities in further education, and skills in choral direction and accompaniment. Pupils currently benefit from organ, piano, accordion and melodica tuition through the Programme.
For more information on the Keyboard Studies Programme or to be added to the lessons waiting list, please contact office@dioceseofleedsmusic.org.uk.
Whole-Class Melodica Sessions
Schools who participate in our Schools Singing Programme are also eligible to sign up for whole-class melodica sessions through our Keyboard Studies Programme. Sessions build on the foundations laid by whole-class singing sessions, using the same systems to explore more complex musical terminology and technique while remaining fun, engaging and rooted in faith.
Individual Lessons
We believe that one-to-one tuition is crucial for the full development and confidence of young musicians. We are proud to provide individual singing, organ, piano and accordion lessons to members of our choirs and strive to make tuition accessible at the point of need and have bursary options available for cases of financial hardship.
We are grateful to the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, Wade’s Charity and a number of other trusts that provide bursaries so that all talented children are able to receive lessons, irrespective of their financial circumstances.
If you are interested in supporting our young musicians, please click here for more information.
Organ Lessons
Our team of expert organ tutors teach students of all abilities to play using the magnificent organs of the Diocese.
Former organ students have gone on to organ scholarships at Oxbridge colleges and churches across the UK.
Accordion Lessons
We’re delighted to offer choristers in our Leeds Cathedral Choirs accordion lessons at a subsidised rate. Our expert tutors help students explore keyboard skills on an instrument they can easily practice at home.
All students are offered an accordion on free loan.
Piano Lessons
Choristers in our Leeds Cathedral choirs are currently offered piano lessons with our expert tutors at a subsidised rate.
We hope to widen this provision to choristers in all of our choirs in time.
‘Taking part in the Keyboard Studies Programme has proven extremely valuable to my musical development. I was able to become an Organ Scholar at Bolton Abbey, where I learnt more about sacred music, and had the opportunity to develop my conducting and accompanying skills. These skills were honed further during my time at New College, Oxford, as I helped to run the College’s un-auditioned choir, The Holywell Singers. I have no doubt that the Programme helped my application to Oxford (such as by giving me experience in score-reading of multiple staves), and this has been the most influential period of my life so far. Hopefully the Programme can continue to offer such opportunities for other state-schoolers!’
‘Learning the organ is helping with my academic work as it develops my ability to multi-task. I have an aspiration to achieve Grade 8, and in the future, I would like to be the regular organist at my church, as others before me who received tuition through the Diocese of Leeds Keyboard Studies Programme have done. The organ is something I would like to continue to play at university and beyond. I enjoy hearing the sound it makes and the impact it can have in a room. I also enjoy the challenge of having to use two manuals or more and using the pedals at the same time. I thoroughly enjoy my weekly organ lessons with Mr Pipe and also the chance to play in front of a congregation or audience.’
‘Being a part of the Diocese of Leeds Keyboard Studies Programme has been a really enjoyable and useful experience. It has transformed me as a player: my keyboard skills have come a long way since working with the Programme, whether that be figured bass or using the pedals. Being a part of the Programme has significantly developed my musicianship overall. I now have a far greater understanding of realising and working out harmonies, voicing and imitation, and of how music works in different genres and styles. The Programme has deepened my interest in choral and organ music, but crucially, my knowledge of how keyboard instruments work and how to use them in composing music has been augmented thanks to the teaching on the Diocese of Leeds Keyboard Studies Programme.’
‘My experiences with the Bradford Boys Choir and the Keyboard Studies Programme have shaped me as a person. Growing up in inner-city Bradford, the choir and organ lessons gave me the confidence to fulfil my potential. From singing weekly Vespers at the local church to performing on TV in front of millions, each experience has proven invaluable in my life journey, and I have continually drawn on the lessons of resilience I learnt in the Diocese of Leeds during my studies at the University of Oxford. I would like to thank all the Choral Directors and Instrumental Tutors for their tireless work over the years, and for helping me to develop a love for Classical music.’
‘Being part of the Cathedral Choir and Keyboard Studies Programme means a lot to me, and over the past three years I’ve gained a lot from being involved with them. I built up confidence in the recent conducting workshop, and I’ve been able to work better as part of a team with others. Most importantly I’ve been able to learn a new instrument through my organ lessons. Since primary school I have really enjoyed making music – the Keyboard Studies Programme has made me able to go further with music.’
