12 projects will receive support via Leeds Conservatoire’s Graduate Fund, which was launched earlier this year as a considered response to the impact of COVID-19 on our alumni community.
Initiatives which will receive backing include participation in an online short course in sound recording techniques, a music video, PR and marketing support, and support towards studio recording costs.
Those set to receive funding are former students across a range of our degree programmes, including Music Business, Music Production, Folk, Songwriting, Jazz, Classical with Jazz and MA Music.
Interested applicants were asked to put together a short proposal which outlined their project, achievements and goals for the funding and support.
A panel then met, comprised of graduates and staff at Leeds Conservatoire, to consider each application received on its own merit.
The Graduate Fund is designed to support recent graduates at a pivotal point, as they develop their careers in the wider industry following completion of their studies at the conservatoire.
Following an extremely challenging year, it is important that we as a conservatoire continue to remove potential barriers to creative development and support musicians to develop their skills beyond their studies.
The fund represents an extension of our student focussed Experience Fund and Match Funding schemes run by our Artistry and Enterprise Team.
Graduate Fund beneficiary and recent Jazz graduate Marcus Cain, who will receive funding towards videography and photography for his original project Fluid Puzzle, indicated:
The Graduate Fund will be hugely valuable in helping me develop this project after an incredibly tough year due to the pandemic. It will allow me to build on the recording work I had already planned for this project and turn it in to a high-quality product that will help build recognition, secure future tour dates and build a fanbase.
Without the funding I would not have been able to afford to realise the full potential of my plans for the project.
Former Music Production student and grant recipient Darren Hill, who will receive support towards mixing and additional production, commented:
The biggest difference this will make for me is that it will greatly ease the financial burden of being an emerging artist.
There's so much to pay for when organising a release - (press photos, music videos, social media advertisements, recording, mixing, mastering etc.) and receiving The Graduate Fund will help to ease the financial strain.
Having financial backing is also a great confidence booster for me and I've felt more encouraged in my creative pursuits ever since I received confirmation of the funding.
Folk graduate Iona Lane will be utilising The Graduate Fund towards professional PR support:
Receiving The Graduate Fund has helped me to secure professional PR for the release of my debut album. The past year throughout the pandemic has been difficult for all musicians and graduates. I had pooled other funding from the likes of Help Musicians and Music:Leeds for the recording of my album and to have further support for the release from Leeds Conservatoire means a lot in this difficult time.
The team behind the fund have been very helpful, accommodating and have a genuine interest in helping your project to succeed.
Dav Williams, Development and Alumni Relations Coordinator outlined:
We are delighted to have been able to fund these 12 projects via The Graduate Fund. Our commitment to supporting recent graduates at this time is extremely important to us as a conservatoire.
We are excited by the vast range of activity funded, and are looking forward to seeing the continued progression of these artists and creative entrepreneurs over the coming months through development of their projects.
Those also receiving support in addition to those mentioned above include:
- Abigail Rudd (towards a sound recording techniques short course)
- Adam Langley and Naomi Perera (towards PR activity)
- Sunflower Thieves (towards a choreographed music video)
- Angus Bates (towards trademarking for a music business)
- Florence Rutherfoord-Jones (towards 1:1 production lessons)
- Lilian Gilbert (towards studio and recording activity)
- Jacob Kelly (towards marketing support for a drum tuition business)
- Peter Kirkman (towards an AV exhibition)
- Sunday Lendis (towards studio and recording activity)
