50th Anniversary feedback
50th Anniversary feedback
Now nearly 2 months on from Pro Corda’s 50th Anniversary Concert at the Southbank’s Purcell Room in association with Arts Council England, and the great feedback really has put Pro Corda in pole position as it embarks on the next half century.
From parents and families to funders, from politicians to famous musicians in the audience – the range of Pro Corda performances demonstrating the full spectrum of our unique chamber music training seems to have made a real impression.
To bring back the memories (or to see what you missed!) click on the below clips from a very special day in Pro Corda’s history:
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Pro Corda on BBC Radio 3
Pro Corda on BBC Radio 3


Pro Corda featured on BBC Radio 3 today as part of Essential Classics with host Suzy Klein. The feature is a trip down memory lane as cellist and music blogger Davina Shum (pictured) recalled first arriving at Leiston Abbey, performing in the Barn, and experiencing the Abbey house.
You can listen here:

It’s a truly beautiful feature, set to the backdrop of the world famous Doric Quartet – amongst our most distinguished alumni – performing Schubert (mixed with a little interlude of snooker balls and common room laughter just to complete the audio atmosphere and make it a truly authentic portrayal of a Pro Corda course!
We hope you enjoy the segment. If you would like to be part of an incredible musical journey too, then do take a look at all the courses on offer and come and join us soon.

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Pro Corda documentary goes live
New Pro Corda documentary
In June this year, Leiston Abbey became a film set for a week when a group of very special Pro Corda students became the stars of a brand new Pro Corda documentary!
Made by former BBC Producers and filmmakers Graham Maughan and Veronica Reinhardt, and thanks to generous support by the Reinhardt Trust, “Achieving the Extraordinary” captures the magic and incredible results of a Pro Corda “Create Together” course.

This series is about to enter its 15th year and has served hundreds of students with additional needs up and down the country. The film opens the door on the unique methods used on these Pro Corda courses – all of which draw on the core principles of chamber music.
Particular highlights include Pro Corda’s Director of Schools and Outreach Programmes, Laura Feeney, leading an improvisation session with a severely autistic student where his sudden moment of awakening engagement (always an incredible feeling) is captured on camera. Also our new Creative Musicianship coach, violinist and broadcaster Noel Vine talking about the ways in which students with additional needs can create the most profound of new compositions.
The real stars are of course the children themselves. They tell their story throughout the film and describe what Pro Corda Create Together means to them.
As part of PRO CORDA'S Next Chapter the website is currently being updated.
We thank you for your patience as we relaunch PRO CORDA for the 23/24 season.
50th Anniversary Concert Announced
50th Anniversary Concert Announced
Pro Corda has released tickets to its 50th Anniversary Gala Concert at Purcell Room, Southbank Centre on Sunday 1st September from 2pm.
Pro Corda’s celebratory concert, marking the end of its 50th anniversary year, will feature chamber music repertoire together with a short music theatre presentation from students across all courses and artistic programmes.
It’s the culmination of our 50-year celebrations. Please do come and join us. You can pick up tickets by clicking the button below
50th Anniversary Gala Concert

Pro Corda is using the 50th Anniversary milestone to ensure its unique training and the universal resonance of chamber music education is secured for generations to come over the next 50 years.
The 50th Anniversary Fund’s target is £2,000,000 of which £1,000,000 will be designated to major refurbishments of Pro Corda’s student accommodation, the Abbey House, and other upgrades and developments of the Leiston Abbey Estate. Together we can all make this happen and leave the perfect legacy for those many thousands yet to experience the magic of Pro Corda.
How can you get involved?
- Become a 50th Anniversary Principal Donor. We will set up a meeting at your convenience to discuss the exciting and unique opportunities on offer to Principal Donors.
- Set up your own 50th Anniversary Fund campaign – from organising a concert to a JustGiving campaign, these will also play a central part.
- Donate to our 50th Anniversary campaign. You can click the Donate button at the top of the page at any time!
All gifts, of whatever size, are hugely appreciated and will enable this Fund to be achieved. All those who get involved will be recorded in a special 50th Anniversary Commemorative book to be published at the conclusion of the “50 at 50”.
As part of PRO CORDA'S Next Chapter the website is currently being updated.
We thank you for your patience as we relaunch PRO CORDA for the 23/24 season.
Garfield Weston Grant
Garfield Weston grant
Pro Corda is delighted to announce that it has received a grant from Garfield Weston Foundation towards the development of the organisation in its 50th anniversary year.

As part of PRO CORDA'S Next Chapter the website is currently being updated.
We thank you for your patience as we relaunch PRO CORDA for the 23/24 season.
Arts Council funding
Arts Council funding
Pro Corda is delighted to announce its funding award from Arts Council England (ACE) towards its 50th Anniversary Gala Concert at London’s Southbank Centre on Sunday 1st September 2019. The concert will celebrate all of Pro Corda’s activity involving students from across the country.

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We thank you for your patience as we relaunch PRO CORDA for the 23/24 season.
Chamber Champions announced
Chamber Champions Announced
Four ensembles were selected as “Chamber Champions”, the highest accolade for the finest chamber music understanding and performance, at Pro Corda’s Chamber Music Festival for Schools Finals. They were:
- Highgate Junior U12 Quartet
- Brighton College U14 Cello Trio
- Kings College, Wimbledon U16 Trio
- Charterhouse School U19 String Trio

As part of PRO CORDA'S Next Chapter the website is currently being updated.
We thank you for your patience as we relaunch PRO CORDA for the 23/24 season.
Three year Leverhulme grant awarded
Three year Leverhulme grant awarded
Pro Corda has been awarded a three year Arts Scholarship grant from the Leverhulme Trust towards bursaries for talented young musicians which will come into effect in September 2019. The grant, which runs until 2022, will support 300 bursary students from 8-24 across the flagship residential chamber music courses.

As part of PRO CORDA'S Next Chapter the website is currently being updated.
We thank you for your patience as we relaunch PRO CORDA for the 23/24 season.
Teaming up with Encore Radio
Teaming up with Encore Radio
We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Encore Radio. For more information on all of our music courses at the UK’s most exciting music school, call 01728 831354 or click here
We’re also working with Encore Radio within our music theatre programmes for young people with autism and other additional needs. For more information on our top tips and to see more about our music theatre courses click here
