LEEDS UNIVERSITY UNION
MUSIC SOCIETY
ABOUT LUUMS
ABOUT LUUMS
ABOUT LUUMS
FRESHERS 20/21
FRESHERS 20/21
FRESHERS 20/21
CONGRATULATIONS if you have just received your A-Level results and are heading to Leeds this September!
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We are Leeds University Union's Music Society and have 10 different ensembles varying from our Symphony Orchestra to Composers Collective.
Have a look at our Freshers leaflet to find out a bit more about us and our ensembles!
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Please feel free to send us an email or message for any more info.
We look forward to meeting you all, hopefully sometime in the near future!!
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MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2023/24
President
Emmeline Macdonald (she/her)
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Emmeline studies English Language and Literature and is in her 3rd year at Leeds. She began learning the violin at age 6 and the piano at age 7, and has also been playing the viola for a few years. She studied at the Centre for Young Musicians (CYM), every Saturday for 9 years where she was able to perform in string quartets, lead orchestras and receive individual lessons. She was also part of the London Schools Symphony Orchestra from 2017-2021 where she performed termly at the Barbican Centre and toured to Germany, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In her first year at Leeds, she was Devonshire Hall Music President where she ran a choir and organised Winter and Summer Concerts. She was also Music Director for their musical production, High School Musical! Throughout her time at Leeds, she has been a member of LUUMS Symphony Orchestra and String Orchestra on the violin and viola and has also dabbled in singing with Symphonic Choir, and playing in pit bands with other performance societies. Emmeline is hoping that next year she might expand her horizons into Brass Band! She is extremely excited to be the President of LUUMS for the year 23/24 and can’t wait for all the amazing concerts, socials and rehearsals that lie ahead!
Concerts Manager
Oliver Heath (he/him)
luums.concertsmanager@gmail.com
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Oliver is a 2nd year music student from Northern Ireland. He is a composer, singer, and conductor. He holds an Enhanced Choral Scholarship at Leeds Cathedral, under Tom Leech, allowing him to conduct their various choirs and work in the National School Singing Programme. Last Year, Oliver was First Year Representative on the Exec Committee and enjoyed taking part in Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Symphonic Choir and Composers Collective. As Concerts Manager, and as Chamber Choir Conductor, Oliver is committed to diversifying repertoire and championing more works by living composers.
Secretary
Sasha Grimes (she/her)
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Sasha (she/her) is a 3rd year Music student at the University of Leeds. She began her musical studies at the age of 6 with violin lessons which she took into secondary school alongside piano, finally leading as first violinist in her school’s orchestra. This was where she was introduced to the viola, and decided to make the switch from violin at the age of 15 after falling in love with the warm timbre. After attending some National Youth Orchestra residencies and gaining a place in the Oxford County Youth Orchestra, Sasha decided she wanted to pursue a degree in music. As she enjoyed doing both A Level psychology and music, she decided to combine both of these disciplines into the Music and Music Psychology degree offered at Leeds. During her 1st and 2nd year she has been part of the viola section in the LUUMS Symphony and String orchestra as well as playing violin in Sinfonia. After Sasha’s 2nd year she decided she wanted to focus more on performance and less on music psychology, switching onto the music course. She is currently in the process of applying to conservatoires to work towards playing professionally in orchestras. Next year Sasha is looking forward to being the new secretary and is excited to become more involved with LUUMS.
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Publicity Officer
Ruth Allen (she/her)
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Ruth is a 2nd year music student from North Wales. She started playing the cello when she was 7, and as soon as she found out her cello teacher was also called Ruth, there was no turning back! As well as playing the cello, Ruth tried to learn the piano on numerous occasions, but never found it as fun as the cello 🤫
Before starting at Leeds, she played in a range of ensembles, from Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra through to North Wales Youth Orchestra. In her first year at Leeds, Ruth was a member of Symph and String Orchestra, and had so much fun playing a range of rep alongside incredible musicians. Ruth ran for Publicity Officer because she had such a great time in her first year in LUUMS, and she wanted to involve herself with the society as much possible. Being able to combine music with her love of all things creative made Publicity the perfect role for her!
Ruth is so excited to participate as much as possible in LUUMS again this year, working alongside a great team!
Treasurer
Lily Walsh (she/her)
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Lily is so excited to be your LUUMS Treasurer for 2023/24! She will be a final year Chemistry and Maths student from Wakefield. She am a member of Brass Band, where she plays the cornet. Outside of uni, she plays in her local brass band where they perform concerts and compete regularly. She is a not-so-secret Swiftie and loves to watch musicals in her spare time. She is looking forward to helping make sure every ensemble has the ability to do anything that will make your LUUMS experience more enjoyable.
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Publicity Officer
Bea Derrick (she/her)
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Bea Derrick (she/her) is a second year music student from Manchester. She began playing the clarinet and piano around 8 years old and picked up the alto sax at 16. She loved being apart of many ensembles growing up, including Stockport Youth Orchestra and jazz bands where she’s performed in many concerts across Manchester from the RNCM to various jazz clubs. As well as performing, Bea loves studying all aspects of music even freakishly enjoying taking grade 8 music theory. She’s loved being part of LUUMS in the past year, performing with SWO, symphony orchestra and concert band and can’t wait for another year where she hopes as Publicity Officer she can continue to make Luums fun, inclusive and accessible!
Fundraising & Sponsorship
Carol Carter (she/her)
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Carol is a second year Philosophy and Politics student who loves to sit down and play some sweet sweet tunes when the essays start to pile up. Although her loyalties lie with brass band, she has also taken part in sinfonia, chorus, and symphonic choir. She plays the trumpet, viola, and piano and is currently learning the sax! She has really enjoyed spending time in the different ensembles, each with their own unique atmosphere, and hopes to join more in the future. LUUMS is such a positive and friendly community and Carol is very excited to continue to spread the love (and funds) during her time on the committee. Aside from music, Carol loves going into the great outdoors and practising her northern accent. If needed, you will most likely find her breaking into the music foyer or carrying the back row cornets in brass band.
Departmental Rep
Amy Howe (she/her)
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Amy Howe is a recent BA Music graduate originally from Birmingham. With both her parents being musicians, Amy began her musical journey aged 8 on the violin, going on to play in many chamber groups and orchestras. After growing bored with the violin, she found a passion for singing and is a now a first study singer. Amy has sang in many vocal ensembles, including with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra choirs, as well as giving recitals in and out of uni. Throughout uni, Amy has been heavily involved in LUUMS, managing Chamber Choir in her second year and conducting Symphonic Choir in her third. Amy is so so excited to join exec as Departmental Rep next year, and so ready with many suggestions and ideas to contribute to the already extremely thriving LUUMS community!!
Social Secretary
Katie Grundonner (she/her)
Katie plays the trombone, and is a third year music and music psychology student! She has just returned from studying music in New York where she enjoyed playing in multiple ensembles- including an American marching band. Previously she has been lucky enough to play all over the country with her highlights being the Royal Albert Hall and Windsor Castle. She is really looking forward to being your social sec this year and planning loads of fun events like the intro party and ball! She also can’t wait meet more of you and make some great memories!
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Wellbeing and Inclusivity Rep
El Cragg (she/her)
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El (She/Her) is currently studying Music and Music Psychology in her 2nd year at the University of Leeds. She started playing the violin when she was 4. By the age of 11 she had completed 5 music grades on violin, been offered a place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and accepted a place at Chetham’s School of Music. From age 11 to 16, she attended Chetham’s School of Music where she reached the final of the annual Chamber Music Competition with her trio, played as member in one of the orchestras playing Laura Rossi’s piece to mark 100 years since The Battle of The Somme and has played in venues such as The Imperial War Museum (Manchester), Manchester Cathedral, Stoller Hall and Bridgewater Hall.
During her time as a student at Chetham’s, El found her passion lay with Chamber Music and Community Music. In her last few years, she went to several schools with members of staff to bring the music of different countries to primary school children after having the experience of playing for children with special needs and in a care home.
After leaving Manchester, she went to Kendal College where she started playing in bands and enjoyed dabbling with the world of Rock and Pop. From 17-19, El took part in several creative projects where she contributed violin parts and musical ideas for film and live events as well as playing in a pit orchestra for Phantom of The Opera.
At University, El has enjoyed her time as part of String orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and additional string ensembles for student organized concert. She has also taken part in a few LUUMIC projects and hopes to involve herself with more of this in her 2nd year. She is very excited to curate the new role of wellbeing and inclusivity executive and hopes to bring a fresh approach to the relationship between students, music and individuality.