Our campaign is now complete. 323 supporters helped us raise £6,593.00
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Organised by LMTOMembers of London Musical Theatre Orchestra's community are coming together to run The London 10k on July 14th and raise vital funds to support our work. The award-winning LMTO is the UK’s specialist orchestra dedicated to musical theatre.
Saucony London 10K 2024 · 14 July 2024 ·
Closed 01/08/2024
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Visit the charity's profileJoin LMTO on its mission to spread the joy of musical theatre far and wide! 🎶
The London Musical Theatre Orchestra (LMTO) is the UK’s specialist orchestra dedicated to musical theatre. With performances praised by audiences and industry giants alike, LMTO has become synonymous with excellence in theatre musicianship since its inception in June 2016. The orchestra's portfolio boasts live and studio albums, alongside broadcasts reaching millions on BBC Radio 2. Recently, LMTO has been the orchestra behind and accompanying acclaimed musicals in concert such as 'Pippin', 'Evita' and 'Love Never Dies' (Winner of Best Concert Event at the 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards).
"No composer could ask for more" - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Through commercial performances, LMTO delivers the joy of musical theatre to thousands of theatregoers every year, but that's not all the orchestra does.
LMTO Upbeat transforms UK secondary school students with no prior musical experience into concert performers in just 8 weeks. The programme establishes a new orchestra in every school it visits, and West End musicians guide students on the journey from first picking up a musical instrument to performing in a concert in front of friends and family.
Upbeat gives young people a chance to discover the joy, confidence and purpose that comes from making music as a group. The programme uses easy orchestral arrangements of popular songs which fuels the students’ enthusiasm for practice and learning orchestral instruments.
Since its launch in 2021, Upbeat has positively impacted over 300 students and fostered a lasting culture of music-making in 6 schools.
"LMTO Upbeat has made me more confident that I could do more in the future. I wish I had had this opportunity in the past" - Year 7 student, Clarinet
"LIFE-CHANGING. Music in the lives of children. These children would never have ever been able to pick up an instrument or learn to play like this. It’s changed their lives. Inspirational..." - Headteacher, Queen Elizabeth School, 2023
Each month, over 100 singers and musicians gather to sing and play through the score of a musical. The entire process happens over a single day, from separate rehearsals through to the final performance. Sitz is a private rehearsal, with no audience and no pressure – it is simply a chance for talented people to get together and share in the joy of some brilliant music.
Anyone is welcome to take part in Sitz: all that is needed is a passion for musical theatre. Sitz provides an amazing opportunity for people to improve their sight-reading skills, learn new parts and scores and gain orchestral experience in a supportive and friendly environment.
"I am still buzzing from yesterday; it was a phenomenal day and one of the best things I’ve done in my life – pretty much up there with a parachute jump!" - 1st time Sitzer, Feb 2023
“When everything came together – I couldn’t contain my excitement...it was so great! The whole experience has inspired me to take up singing tuition and learn more, as I definitely want to return!" - 1st time Sitzer, Nov 2022
2022 saw the launch of LMTO’s revamped development scheme for musicians at the start of their careers, referred to as the Dev Scheme. The scheme now lasts a full 12 months, and candidates complete a formal audition process for entry. Successful candidates – known as Devs – will:
1. Play in at least one LMTO concert
2. Be paired with an industry mentor
3. Receive a lesson with a West End chair-holder
In July 2022, LMTO received 110 applications from recent and soon-to-be music graduates, 70 of whom were invited to audition. 19 talented young Devs were recruited for the year, each one paired with one of nine mentors – regular LMTO players who provided support and guidance on technique, style and making connections in the industry. Every Dev played in at least one LMTO concert during the year.
“My first encounter with LMTO was at my first Sitz in February 2022. At that point, I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to play in a musical, even though I’d been working on my tripling instruments for years. Discovering Sitz was a lifeline at that point in my education – a year later, and I had made my West End debut with LMTO playing for Scala Radio Christmas Live at the London Palladium, and, thanks to connections through my mentor, had ‘sit-ins’ with industry professionals at both Mary Poppins and Frozen. The Dev Scheme has led to opportunities to perform at Wembley Arena, as well as do my first professional run of a musical. LMTO has opened the door into the industry for me." - Louisa Kataria, Dev Scheme Graduate
“Auditioning for LMTO’s Dev Scheme was the best decision I made, a month after moving here from Ukraine. I’ve been a part of Chess at Drury Lane, and Audra McDonald and Scala Radio Christmas Live at the Palladium, among others. As a Dev I was warmly welcomed, and LMTO helped me to integrate into the industry. I collaborated with so many different people and I have a mentor who helps me to improve my professional skills and to develop my career. Thanks to LMTO and the Dev Scheme, it became easier to start from scratch as a person and musician in a new country.” - Kristina Surma, Dev Scheme Graduate
Complementing LMTO’s Dev Scheme is a programme of professional development workshops. Supported by the Sandy and Zorica Glen Charitable Settlement, workshops are designed to support young musicians by helping them develop skills to succeed in the musical theatre industry – learning from and networking with industry experts and peers.
Workshops take place at Bishopsgate Institute or online, with topics this year ranging from Orchestration for Beginners and So You Want to Be an MD to Tax for Self-Employed Performers and instrument-specific masterclasses.
“I found it so so so helpful and such a great experience. I massively benefitted from it” - Dec 2022 Big Band workshop attendee
“Really well-run morning, excellent teaching and so useful for professional development” - Oct 2022 Trumpet workshop attendee
“The workshop leader had so much energy and maintained the focus of the group and gave some really helpful tips" - Oct 2022 Skills for Working with Children workshop attendee
🏃♂️ The London 10k: Supporting Musical Dreams:
LMTO is excited to announce its participation in The London 10k, and needs YOUR support to continue its charitable initiatives! By donating to LMTO's campaign, you'll help fund the orchestra's programmes, bringing the magic of musical theatre to communities across the UK.
Ready to support LMTO and The London 10k? Join LMTO in making musical dreams a reality by donating today!
With gratitude,
The London Musical Theatre Orchestra (LMTO)
Find out more: www.lmto.org
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