The Keyboard Studies Programme was founded in 2016, with David Pipe (previously Assistant Director of Music at York Minster) appointed as its first Director. The Programme was launched to provide high-quality organ and piano tuition across the Diocese to choristers, school pupils and adult learners. 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. There are currently five instrumental teachers in post, providing tuition in a family of related keyboard instruments (organ, accordion and piano).

The Hamish Ogston Foundation is providing £750,650 over five years to expand the Keyboard Studies Programme within the Diocese of Leeds.  The programme comprises of four elements:

1) Establishing the largest and highest-quality teaching school in the UK for the classical accordion.  This instrument is widely taught in Europe and Asia to give children the independence of a portable instrument and has been used successfully in the UK in many rural primary schools to learn the basics, as a transition to larger keyboard instruments and, ultimately, to inspire some young people to progress to learning to play the piano and even organ;

2) Establishing the largest and highest-quality teaching school in the UK for the melodica. This small air-powered keyboard instrument offers one of the most comprehensive introductions to keyboard studies, following the Japanese model where every primary school child is taught the basics of keyboard playing;

3) Developing three bespoke tutor books for organ, accordion and melodica, to support the teaching and learning of the young students; and

4) Capital contributions to facilitate the installation of 2 pipe organs; the purchase of 3 electronic practice organs; refurbishment of 4 upright pianos and the purchase of 16 classical accordions.

It is our aspiration that the programme will support children from the UK to study at top international universities or conservatoires, furnishing them with the foundations to be skilful, multi-talented individuals within the music profession.

For more information on the Keyboard Studies Programme or to be added to the lessons waiting list please contact:
office@dioceseofleedsmusic.org.uk / 0113 244 8634