Meet Kate. The Belfast-based trumpeter and university student first joined National Orchestra for All (NOFA) as a young person facing barriers to music-making. Now, she’s an ambassador for the group. We shared a virtual tea break to find out more about her musical journey…

What inspired you to play the trumpet?

When I was in primary school, the City of Belfast School of Music used to visit and they would test us to see who had a natural musical ability. Of course, I wanted to play violin because I thought it was very dainty, but I got told that my fingers were too small! I was given a trumpet instead and at the time I was heartbroken. I was like, ‘Urgh, I just want to play the violin!’. But as soon as I went to my first trumpet lesson, I knew I was meant to play this instrument. It was so me!

At first, I actually played a cornet because I was too small for a trumpet. When I went to secondary school they didn't have any brass lessons but because I loved learning it so much, I auditioned for those and did some aural theory classes as well. I just loved it! I think it’s so interesting to learn an instrument that is typically associated with males. In most of the bands and orchestras I've been in, it's very male-dominated in the brass section, so to be this small girl walking in with such a loud instrument feels very empowering.

What music do you like to play?

For brass, I really enjoying playing show music. In our school band, it was great to hear such a big sound from this section. But every section has its own little flavour and every part is significant. In NOFA, even though we usually play orchestral music it feels like that as well, where everyone’s part has such meaning, and it’s just so good to hear everybody come together. Even the quietest of sounds will still convey the emotion or story of the music.

Otherwise, I’m a bit of an old soul – I have very dad-like taste in music! I’m obsessed with the ‘60s. At the moment, I love the Beatles. They’re the kings of rock in my opinion! And Blondie’s Parallel Lines is a great album, especially the song ‘Heart of Glass’. When I was younger, my parents would have had me listening to a lot of ska. I also like Bob Marley – he’s a very chill guy and his music is great to study to. He’s one of those artists that you can just vibe to when you’re doing life, he’s so accessible for everybody.

NOFA ambassadors share their musical favourites >

Tell us about your journey with Orchestras for All.

Compared to the other ambassadors, I joined Orchestras for All (OFA) quite late, when I was 16. I was nominated by one of the teachers at my school, who is actually a member of the wellbeing team at the charity. I remember the first time I attended a session – I was so nervous because I felt like a tiny fish in a big pond. I’m from a very small town and the majority of the orchestra usually comes from the mainland of the UK, so it was a bit intimidating.

But the way it was run made it accessible for everybody. At the time I was studying my GCSE music and thought, ‘Hm... I don’t know whether to do an A Level or not,’ but OFA gave me the confidence to perform, understand a piece of music when I looked at it and also know how to speak about it. I didn't feel like I had a lot of confidence in myself and they were like, ‘You should play! What’s the worst that can happen if you sound bad?’ The only way you can move is forwards – you can’t really move down in your ability. And now I’m an ambassador! I just love the message that it represents. It’s so inclusive and you meet so many people.

Pictured: Ambassador Kate (middle left) enjoys a moment of togetherness with National Orchestra for All

Has Orchestras for All broken down any music-making barriers for you?

Well, in Northern Ireland, music is a massive part of where we come from and it can be really competitive. But in NOFA, it’s not competitive at all. You’re never stepping on anybody’s toes – people want to see you thrive. It’s refreshing! I was lucky that at a young age, I was able to go to the School of Music because my parents were able to get me in and fund me to go. But I think the thing we need to focus on is the “luck” part. It shouldn't be about “being lucky” and it shouldn’t be about the school you go to, the parents you have or the status you have in your community.

Orchestras for All is an organisation that isn’t based on luck, ability or your background – they’re so focused on you as a person as well as a musician. They care about how you feel, how you think and how you respond to certain practice techniques – and the communication in wellbeing groups isn’t something I had experienced before.

What’s the best part about playing in an inclusive ensemble?

In some bands I’ve played in you have your brass, your winds and maybe a violin now and then, but Orchestras for All includes the piano and even melodicas, guitars and ukuleles – diverse instruments that you wouldn't typically see in an orchestra if they were to go and perform. I think it’s so cool and exciting that these are added in! That sort of representation and seeing your instrument in an orchestra inspires young people.

Some young people think that classical music is all: “You need to be able to read sheet music and can only perform if there’s a piece of music in front of you,” but in NOFA, we often play pieces from memory. It’s amazing to use your ears, have that sense of camaraderie and be in an environment where your conductor actually lets you lift your head to look at your friends and do something funny to make them laugh during a rehearsal! We appreciate that. I think some conductors should loosen up a wee bit and that’s what I like about our conductor, Emma – she makes it so much more fun and inviting.

If you could give one piece of advice to other young people who are considering joining an orchestra like NOFA, what would it be?

Do not be afraid to play out. I’m still a victim of this where I’m afraid to play out sometimes, but the worst that can happen is that someone audibly hears something wrong within your section and you stop. But it’s also the best thing that can happen because they can isolate that little bit you're struggling with and actually help you to perfect it.

Chances are, there’s other people who are struggling with that same bit all around the orchestra. If one person is finding something hard, I can guarantee there’s about three other people who are finding it hard too – they’re just too proud to admit it. So, just play out! It’s all a big learning experience.

And finally, please complete the sentence: Orchestras for All is...

…a community. A place where you can go to learn about music and hear a variety of styles that you might not hear in your hometown. You make great memories and new friends, it’s amazing. When you’re an ambassador, you have to get along and work together but even outside of NOFA, we’re still as close as ever. OFA brings people together through music.

A fun fact about me is that I love to dress as if I’m in the ‘60s and ‘70s! I love going out and wearing the massive go-go boots, with everyone looking at me as if I’m a complete weirdo. I think it’s hilarious. But with OFA, I don’t think there's anything more powerful than being able to connect with a group of young people who are all wonderfully different in their own way.

We shouldn’t have anything in common since we’re all so diverse, but we’re united by a note – whether that’s a C or a C#! OFA is a place where young people can come together to appreciate and enjoy something really accessible – and that thing is music.

To fund a life-changing programme for musicians like Kate, please donate today >