“OFA is the place where confidence is built, ambitions are formed, and careers are kickstarted.”
Orchestras for All (OFA) is delighted to announce that it is now recruiting young people, state schools and local community groups for two of its flagship programmes: National Orchestra for All (NOFA) and the Modulo Programme.
Whether a young person is an experienced player or just getting started, OFA welcomes all young people to join our vibrant community and experience our life-changing opportunities.
NOFA cellist, Jess, said: “NOFA is a good space to join if you are nervous about going to an orchestra because it is just one big happy family! You don’t have to feel like you have to be the best – you can just play along and laugh if you make mistakes.”
One Modulo teacher also said: “It has given my students real life experience of playing in a big ensemble and the skills that involves. Today, in a choir rehearsal, a pupil involved in Modulo mentioned leaving silence at the end and feeling the ‘magic in the air’ – something she learnt from conductor Rocco. It seems the lessons they learned have stayed with them.”
Read more: Orchestras for All wins RPS Impact Award at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards>
What are the NOFA and Modulo programmes?
National Orchestra for All:
NOFA is our inclusive, non-auditioned national youth orchestra. Each season it brings together 100 young people from all four corners of the UK. NOFA members come from all backgrounds, at any stage in their musical journey, playing any instrument they choose.
The orchestra performs all types of music, from popular songs to classical works, film music to jazz, video game soundtracks to dance anthems – with pieces coming from around the world. Members also have the opportunity to create their own pieces with professional composers -it doesn’t get much cooler than that!
Plus, we want to make sure that cost isn’t a barrier to participating, so everything is covered when a young person joins NOFA, including their food, travel, accommodation and tuition.
“The teachers really understand you and take care of you!”
The Modulo Programme:
We support teachers and music leaders in state schools, local community groups and music hubs and services to set up and run their own ‘Modulo ensemble’ which is accessible to every young person.
They receive all the music, training and resources they need to create an inclusive, sustainable and high-quality musical experience for young people, ensuring they have fun every step of the way.
“Thanks to Modulo our students and staff are thriving.”
Throughout the year, Modulos from different parts of the UK come together to play as multiple large-scale orchestras at our ‘Modulo Meets’, alongside our expert team of professional musicians - with each culminating in a celebratory showcase of group music-making.
Reflecting on our most recent season
With its wide range of workshops, social activities, youth leadership initiatives and colourful concerts, NOFA’s 2025-26 season has been a truly memorable experience for everyone.
Members have had the opportunity to rehearse and perform at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire , all whilst being supported by an incredible team of Ambassadors, Orchestral and Wellbeing Tutors.
Chosen in collaboration with the young people we work with, NOFA’s current repertoire includes an eclectic mix of works.
For NOFA’s season finale in July 2026, members will be performing ‘Spring Morning’, written by NOFA alum, Chrsitian Dews, ‘This is Berk’, taken from John Powell’s original soundtrack for film, How to Train Your Dragon, a new arrangement of Carlos Garcia’s Ritmos Ciganos, created in collaboration with NOFA members and Kinetika Bloco, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Mvt. 4 and traditional Ghanian folk tune, ‘A Keelie Makolay’. They will also be premiering an exciting 15th birthday commission, written by Emily Lim.
“I’ve been exposed to a lot of music that I never would have listened to. It has actually put me on a path that I never would have expected.”
Meanwhile, 235 young musicians from 24 schools and community groups joined us for six dynamic Modulo Meets at leading arts venues in Sheffield, Gateshead and Birmingham. Performing Queen’s iconic anthem, ‘We Are the Champions’, as part of their concert programme, participants had audiences singing and dancing all over the country.
This season, we have been delighted to see several new Modulo ensembles established. We also held many in-person workshops, created visual scores, or music maps, to make our resources more inclusive, continued to utilise our digital hub for Modulo leaders to access their resources more easily and worked with three Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) schools.
Why should you join our programmes?
By signing up for National Orchestra for All and Modulo, young people and music leaders will have the opportunity to:
Be part of a national movement: Connect with like-minded individuals from across the UK and be part of something bigger that shapes the future of music.
Make music accessible: Help us break down barriers to group music-making, making it possible for all young people to get involved, regardless of their background.
Perform in inspiring venues: Experience the thrill of performing in some of the UK’s most iconic spaces.
Learn from the best: Receive expert training and mentorship from professional musicians and educators, with the safety and wellbeing of young people at the heart of all our activities.
How to apply:
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary. Take a moment to sign up - we’d love to have you as part of the Orchestras for All community!
Learn more about our application process and application deadlines below:
Huge thanks to our funders, partners, donors and supporters for making these life-changing programmes possible.
