Upbeat
What is LMTO Upbeat?
LMTO Upbeat transforms UK secondary school students with no prior musical experience into concert performers in just 8 weeks.
Upbeat is a life-changing, eight-week programme that turns secondary school students from disadvantaged backgrounds into confident concert performers. Every student receives an instrument, learns bespoke arrangements of musical theatre numbers, and performs alongside West End musicians in a celebratory concert for family and friends. Students discover the joy, confidence and purpose that comes from making music as a group and engaging in the creative arts.
Why it Matters
Upbeat builds more than music skills: it boosts confidence, teamwork, and aspiration. Students discover the joy of playing in an orchestra, while teachers gain new skills and resources to grow their departments, building a legacy of music-making for generations to come. The programme opens doors to live performance, specialist study, life-long passions, and careers in the creative industries.
Lasting Impact
Since 2021, Upbeat has reached over 500 students across 9 schools, sparking lasting cultures of music-making. In 2024 alone, 180 students in Luton and Harlow formed new school ensembles, gained school-funded lessons, and saw their departments transformed. The impact is rapid as well as long-lasting – one school grew from 3 orchestral players to over 50 in a year.
“Life changing. Students saw that they could achieve something that they didn’t even know was a possibility for them” -Music Curriculum Officer, Essex Music Service, Dec 2024
Inspiring the Future
Partnering with schools and music services, Upbeat makes orchestral playing accessible, relevant, and exciting. Students explore instruments, performance, and musical theatre up close, mentored by West End musicians. A two-year engagement for each school, with follow-up resources, and community connections, Upbeat leaves a legacy that extends beyond the end of the programme.
“It has inspired me to play a musical instrument – I never thought I would do” – Year 7 Student, Putteridge High, Dec 24
Get Involved
We are already making plans for 2025/26 and beyond so if you are a music service or school who would like to get involved, please get in touch by emailing our Learning & Development Producer, Frances.
