On the 31st of January at 5.30pm, the Leeds Music Trust will at long last be opening a new venue at The Old Chapel Music Studios…
In 2010, none other than The Kaiser Chiefs, who will be joining Festival Republic’s director Melvin Benn in officially opening the building, kick-started the Trust’s five year-long ambition for a new venue with a generous donation, to build on the success of Old Chapel and offer accessible teaching space for young musicians in the city. With support from Leeds Community Foundation’s, Jimbo’s Fund Garfield Western Foundation and Leeds Metropolitan University. Old Chapel director Mark Hubbard, LMT Trustees, and a group of enthusiastic volunteers will be opening the doors to the first phase of the expansion of LMT in Holbeck.
The Old Chapel Music Studios began as the first purpose-built rehearsal studio to open in Leeds, opening in 1982 as Parkside Studios, in Armley. It later moved to an old Wesleyan chapel building at Czar Street, Holbeck, becoming The Old Chapel studios in 1992. It is now managed by Leeds Music Trust’s charitable arm of the organisation, and they hope that with their new building, albeit only in it’s first phase with lots more development and fundraising to do, they aim to ensure they provide a quality teaching space for young, disadvantaged and disabled musicians, as well as a music venue.
LS14 Trust’s development manager, Nicola Greenan told Culture Vulture a bit more about LMT’s ethos:
“Leeds Music Trust believes that live music
is a power for good which can break down social barriers and benefit both those involved and the wider communities of Leeds. Our Mission is to provide educational musical opportunities that are ethical, inter-generational and inclusive. We support the unsupported and provide a platform for Leeds talent, creating a sense of family. Our aim is to promote the art of music, develop musical education and skills and provide a service to musicians and local communities. We value fun, equality and a sense of fair play.”
Those community values are hard to knock and considering they sparked the careers of several successful acts in the past such as The Pigeon Detectives, The Mission, and of course The Kaiser Chiefs they must be doing something right! Having said that, they are equally supportive of working pub and club acts, wedding bands, school bands, and generally young hopefuls. They pride ourselves on their heritage and experience, and providing what musicians want – a creative atmosphere with quality gear and a wealth of knowledge on tap.
They hope for website to launch alongside the event, so keep your eyes peeled but in the mean time get your hands on a ticket before they run out here.