Developing musicians: Dev Scheme 2025
At LMTO we are committed to supporting the next generation of musical theatre players.
Our development scheme was created to complement Sitz and create opportunity for young musicians through our orchestra performances. Every time the orchestra performed, a number of seats in the orchestra were reserved for young developing professional musicians.
We worked with some of the best students and graduates from UK conservatoires, giving them unparalleled opportunities to gain professional experience and create a network of industry contacts.
Thanks to LMTO, recent alumni can now be found playing in pits across the West End and local theatres, including The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, The Lion King, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables and many others besides.
With additional support we are hoping to redesign the Dev Scheme for future years to continue to develop the skills and confidence of young musicians.
Finding the stars of the future
Our development programme started with Sitz. We meet just over 400 musicians every year at Sitzes, where players have the opportunity to develop their musical theatre skill set and network with like-minded musicians.
The programme was supported by the Sandy and Zorica Glen Workshops. Around once a month, we offered a professional development workshop, ranging from talks on orchestrating, rehearsing an orchestra and how to tackle your tax return, to practical sessions and masterclasses with LMTO’s top players.
What our devs have to say:
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
Violin
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
Reeds
Over the last year I have been assistant musical director on a west end show, played on a west end cast album, MD-ed two off west end shows, and am currently MDing a tour. I know that participating in the dev scheme has helped me massively with taking on these projects, giving me the skills and qualities to do so, and also providing me with a support network of my mentor and the wider players, and also a wonderful community of people who are on the journey with you! I have learnt and grown so much throughout the scheme!
Honor Halford-MacLeod
Keys player and Musical Director
I have gained invaluable experience at the monthly Sitzes and the professional shows, learning from the West End performers and musicians, leading to my dream job at The Phantom of the Opera in the West End. I wouldn’t be the musician I am today if I had not seen the very Facebook post that started it all!
Catrin Meek
Harp
LMTO has given me such a wide range of experience, as well as helping me make invaluable contacts and friends, including West End players and professional composers and orchestrators.
Without having had LMTO to give me such experience and opportunities during my studies and early career, I would not be where I am today, for which I will be forever grateful.
Matt Smith
Trombone, Orchestrator and Copyist
Trusts & Foundations
We welcome all enquiries from interested Trusts and Foundations who have a passion for supporting the arts, and for the development of talented musicians. At this early stage, the most welcome gifts are unrestricted funds, but as LMTO grows we look forward to being able to offer specific areas of funding needs, such as sponsoring a chair in a concert for an up and coming musician.
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