El Clarke is the outgoing president of LUUMS, former concerts manager, conductor of the Symphony Orchestra (2024-26) and Sinfonia (2023-24).
El Clarke is Master’s level student studying Musicology at the University of Leeds. Originally from Essex, El was a member of Essex Youth Orchestra and Essex Youth Symphonic Wind Orchestra as a percussionist and occasional pianist. Since joining LUUMS in their first year, El has performed with most ensembles as a percussionist and singer, and also conducted the Symphony Orchestra across two years.
LUUMS was a highlight of their university life, particularly being a part of Percussion Ensemble and Sinfonia. As President, El had the pleasure of leading the society in its centenary anniversary and work with new members and alumni to create a commemorative event.
In 2024/25, El conducted Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Shostakovich’s Festive Overture in the thematically Russian winter concert. In their final year, El continued to programme ambitious repertoire, including Holst’s The Planets Suite, which the Symphony Orchestra performed in their final summer concert.
Can you describe how LUUMS has helped you develop as a musician and a leader since your first year?
Leading such a large society has to come with a unique set of challenges. What did you find unexpectedly difficult in any of your roles and how did you overcome them?
It’s been a balance of presenting myself in a professional manner to all of the people outside of our society who have never heard of LUUMS before. We’re doing so much outreach this year, and they are going to be looking at me and at us… but also how do I present to this group of students that I want to enjoy the society, enjoy their time at university, that’s really important for them as well. And I want to be their friends (and I am their friend… I hope!). So striking that balance has been quite difficult, in terms of the professional and personal aspect of it. But I think coming to the end of the year, I’ve really found that middle ground, I don’t have to separate it as much. You can be a friend, a student musician – someone who likes to do all of these student related things and enjoy your time at university. And then you can switch on and be the professional side of yourself and do the concerts, the public speaking and all of this outreach, and you don’t have to keep them so separated.
Having taken on such a variety of roles with LUUMS, can you outline some of your favourite parts?
It’s quite hard to choose because I’ve had quite a few different roles in LUUMS.
But conducting has been my favourite, hands down (or… hands up rather!). I’ve really enjoyed being able to collaborate with a large group of musicians and work with them together. My second favourite would have to be percussion section leader, I love playing percussion both in the ensemble we have in LUUMS and within the wind orchestra, the percussion section has always been absolute best vibes (pun intended). But leading the percussion section has felt so fulfilling because you’re working 1-1 with a group of 7 of us at maximum.
Being concerts manager and president of LUUMS have both been really fulfilling roles in terms of leadership. I really did like being concerts manager, I got to go to all the concerts, which was probably the main thing but I also did that as president – I’ve been to ALL the concerts for the past two years. My favourite part of those two roles have been watching people succeed and make beautiful music together. But then getting to be a part of that music as a conductor and percussionist as well has so much value.
What was your proudest moment with LUUMS?
LUUMS Symphony Orchestra cond. El Clarke (Summer 2026)
Definitely the Symphony Orchestra concert that we had this summer, where we performed The Planets Suite. That was 100% my proudest moment. Throughout the whole of the suite… I watched back the video and I’m smiling the whole time because I’m so proud of the orchestra, how far we’ve come in the 2 years that I’ve been conducting. And also so proud of myself because this is something I just never imagined that I would do coming into university. It just wasn’t on the radar at all, and I’ve ended up here, doing amazing repertoire with such talented people and I was just so proud of myself and everyone for how far we’ve come and how much I’ve accomplished in 4 years at university.
Do you have any practical tips for someone considering a leadership role in LUUMS for the first time?
What was your favourite LUUMS concert and why?
Christopher Tin – Sogno di Volare
LUUMS Symphony Orchestra & Massed Choir – cond. El Clarke (Spring 2026)
C. Saint-Saens – Bacchanale
LUUMS Sinfonia – cond. El Clarke (Summer 2024)
What was the most rewarding part about working in LUUMS?
Leeds University Union Music Society 