Leeds Junior Conservatoire Tech is for young people aged 11–18 who are interested in learning more about music production.
Apply HereStudents will learn how to record in a music studio, work with MIDI and audio using Logic Pro X and Ableton Live, and record live bands.
Students are enrolled as a junior member of Leeds Conservatoire.
The course is an excellent introduction to anyone who may wish to study Music Technology at A-Level or BTEC or wants to know more about music production techniques.
Topics include:
Students have the opportunity to try out their ideas and work closely with staff and other students.
In Keyboard Skills we explore music of all eras and genres through the keyboard. Every term the students learn and perform pieces of music, either by sight or by ear.
For example, students have learned to play themes from The Entertainer by Joplin, Somewhere Only We Know by Keane, Offenbach’s Barcarolle and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 (1st mov), as well as learning how to improvise using the blues scale.
Students sometimes work solo but often in pairs or groups which improves timing and crucial listening skills as well as promoting problem solving and team work. Each lesson involves showing their work to the group which develops a confident, mature approach to performing.
We also study chords, scales and modes as well as ear skills and sight reading.
Emphasis is placed not just on technical ability but on developing a sensitive, creative and insightful approach to the context and interpretation of the music.
In Vocal Skills, students create a blended sound in a small ensemble singing arrangements of well-known songs. Every term, students learn and perform new pieces, either by sight or ear.
For example, in one of our festivals, students performed their version of Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi. They were focusing on portraying emotion through their voice, whilst featuring various students as soloists.
Students will always work in groups in Vocal Skills, building confidence and encouraging each other when learning new vocal techniques or approaches to songs.
Different to a vocal lesson you may have at school or privately, this session is all about improving your vocal technique when singing with a group.
In guitar skills, students focus on learning specific guitar techniques and applying them to songs they can jam along to. Some technique examples include chord positions, chord patterns, sliding, finger picking and many more.
Students always work in groups in a supportive, friendly environment. Whether students are new to a technique or refreshing their playing, there will be varying degrees of ability to work through.
This session differs from a guitar lesson you may have at school or privately as it focuses on techniques you may use for performing too. The level of learning in this session is complimented by continuing your instrumental lessons outside of the session.
Music theory is the language of musicians and the foundation of all music. It helps students understand how all music styles work and why they sound a certain way.
We work alongside the ABRSM and London College of Music theory curricula, helping students gain an understanding of intervals, scales, keys, time signatures, musical terms and more.
Our aim at Leeds Junior Conservatoire is to make theory lessons enjoyable and fun for all involved and for students to gain the knowledge needed to become well rounded musicians. Lessons will include individual workbook work, interactive group work, practice exams, and aural work alongside the piano, helping students to build a range of essential skills .
Learning to compose is an essential part of a young performer's musical diet.
The Leeds Junior Conservatoire Composition sessions provide a relaxed, fun environment where students can experience an internationally diverse range of music, following fortnightly themes such as Harmony, Structure, Song Craft, Co-Writing, Nature Composing, Orchestration, Inspiration, Editing and more.
The first hour aims to wow students with inspiration relative to the theme, and establish the process for creating it themselves. Finally, the second hour sets them free to compose, receiving one to one feedback and encouragement.
Using industry-standard software such as Logic Pro and Sibelius, students will have the opportunity to expand their production skills whilst developing invaluable notation, and arrangement skills.
In Musical Theatre Singing we explore the vocal repertoire of musicals from Gilbert and Sullivan to the present day. This encompasses many style and genres, and students are encouraged to gain as wide an experience as possible of the Musical Theatre genre.
Vocal technique is at the heart of this course. Students will learn about vocal health and stamina, and will gain an appreciation of how to perform challenging material in physically demanding conditions.
In addition to this, students will be encouraged to interrogate and understand the text they are singing. There is a strong emphasis on acting through song and on how to employ your vocal technique to serve the story you are telling.
Students will work on solos and in groups, learning how to hold the spotlight and how to blend with an ensemble. Each lesson involves the students showing their work, developing their confidence.
LJC Acting classes explore all the skills and creativity necessary to bring characters, words and worlds to life through live performance.
Through regular ensemble classes students will be introduced to and engage with a dynamic selection of classic and contemporary texts, learning and applying individual core acting skills including voice, movement, character, text analysis and improvisation.
Each term explores exciting performance projects including solo storytelling, ensemble devising, contemporary monologue/duologue work and performing poetic texts.
This class is a perfect introduction to Acting for performers of all disciplines wanting to enhance their stage craft, acting and performance skills, as well as develop their artistic voice and collaborative practice.
Songwriting explores techniques that you can use to write original songs from scratch, as well as adapt songs you already know.
Students will work in a mixture of large and small groups, learning how to create their own chord progressions, melodies, counter-melodies, structures, textures and lyrics.
Whether you're new to songwriting or have experience creating music, this lesson will expand your musical toolkit and help inspire your creativity.
A typical class size is between 5-12 students depending on the subject.
The tech timetable will be:
09:00 – 11:15: Musicianship Option 1 (Acting, Theory, Vocal Skills, Guitar Skills, Keyboard Skills)
11:15 – 13:30: Tech
09:00 - 11:15: Musicianship Option 2 (Theory, Musical Theatre Singing, Composition, Songwriting)
11:15 - 13:30: Tech
*All lessons include a 15-minute break
There are no entry requirements for students to attend the LJC Tech course.
LJC tuition fees are approximately £11.25 per hour, with a yearly total of:
Monthly instalments and bursaries are available.
We want to ensure that no one turns down a place at LJC due to cost.
We have a bursary fund that supports students and their families dependent on their situation. In 2025/26 scholarships of between 10% and 100% were awarded.
Find out more about applying for a scholarship.
“Katy loved SMS (now LJC) Tech! She thoroughly enjoyed the music technology course and it has reinforced her decision to study Music Technology A level. She enjoyed spending time with like-minded students and particularly enjoyed the interaction with the Performance students.”
Please see Leeds Junior Conservatoire Terms & Conditions Information page.
