LSO East London Academy

Taster Workshops – Spring Term
Young musicians at Grade 5 level or above are invited to attend workshops with LSO musicians held in local community venues across East London. Following the workshops, five young musicians per borough – 50 in total – are nominated by their local Music Service, with input from the LSO, to attend an intensive training course at LSO St Luke’s during the summer term.

Orchestral Holiday Course – Summer Term
An intensive two-day course led by LSO musicians to develop participants’ ensemble skills through repertoire coaching, creative work, section masterclasses, instrumental technique sessions, and wellbeing workshops. At the culmination of the course, the participants perform a concert together as a full orchestra, sitting side-by-side with LSO musicians. Twenty of these young musicians progress to the full LSO East London Academy in the Autumn.

Intensive Coaching – Autumn Term
The LSO East London Academy takes place throughout the autumn term, with full days of intense coaching at weekends, designed to stretch each of the participants beyond their current abilities. Training will include coaching in small chamber groups, masterclasses and ensemble coaching for orchestra.

The first year culminates in a public concert at LSO St Luke’s showcasing the work across the term, with participants performing in different ensemble sizes and side-by-side with LSO musicians in a chamber orchestra. Alongside the general public, participants’ friends and family are invited to attend, as well as industry professionals from across the music and education sectors.

Training Opportunities – Spring & Summer Terms
LSO East London Academy participants receive supported high-level instrumental training opportunities, carefully selected through partnerships and relationships with LSO On Track. These opportunities are a chance to establish and strengthen progression routes for participants and include:

• Opportunities for further engagement with the LSO through attendance at rehearsals and concerts, and exclusive opportunities to meet and work with composers, artists and the LSO’s family of conductors.
• Partnership days with established high-level training providers, identifying ways to increase accessibility and support the progression of LSO East London Academy participants.

Intensive Coaching – Autumn Term
Joined by a new cohort of young musicians, Year 2 LSO East London Academy members take part in a second intensive coaching programme across the Autumn term, including a public showcase concert marking the end of their participation on the programme.