In 1874, he became conductor of the newly formed Guild of Amateur Musicians. In 1878, Leslie and others made another attempt to form a national music school, which was successful and became the predecessor of the Royal College of Music.
In 1874, he took on the role as the conductor for the newly formed Guild of Amateur Musicians. In 1878, Leslie and others tried again to create a national music school, which succeeded and eventually led to the establishment of the Royal College of Music.