Tear-jerking performances and togetherness wrap up National Orchestra for All’s memorable spring season

“NOFA is all about collaboration, community and creativity – and joining the orchestra has definitely helped me grow in confidence.”

National Orchestra for All (NOFA) musicians just experienced their first in-person spring residential, following two years of online activity – and it was pure joy.

Held at iconic music venue, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, on 11-14 April, the four-day course was packed with engaging sectionals and full orchestra rehearsals, giving our diverse cohort of young people the chance to bond and play together as a group.

The 43 NOFA members in attendance – who had travelled to Birmingham from all across the country – were also able to indulge in a carefully curated programme of social activities, from running clubs, jamming sessions and cinema evenings to relaxing yoga, choir practice and arts and crafts.

Seventeen-year-old NOFA pianist, Troy, said: “In secondary school, I didn’t have much going for me and didn’t have many opportunities, but then my teacher found NOFA and suggested that I should apply.

“I’m so happy that I did – it’s amazing and has made my life much more interesting! I can brag about being in an orchestra to my friends but it’s also really fun as there’s loads of activities happening and more opportunities to perform and connect with other people as well.”

Read more: 7 ways to support autistic musicians in your youth orchestra >

Pictured: National Orchestra for All (NOFA) musicians celebrate the final day of their spring residential

NOFA oboeist, Lily, added: “I love all the different music we’re playing – I wouldn’t play this type of music in my orchestra back home, so it’s nice to have that balance between classical music and dance music like ‘Crossfade’ and ‘Spoitoresa’. It’s great to have the variety.

“Being part of NOFA has also helped me to develop as a musician – the music we’re learning takes you out of your comfort zone but not to the point of breaking you, so it’s good to have that little push.”

Meanwhile, lower brass player, Christian, volunteered to try his hand at conducting, led by Artistic Director Emma Oliver-Trend. He told us: “I’ve improved a lot more in rhythm, and being part of NOFA has had such an impact on my life. When I go back home to my other bands, they can tell that I’ve improved and it’s helped me to make a lot more friends.”

Read more: Orchestras for All wins award for Outstanding Musical Initiative at the Music and Drama Education Awards 2022 >

All too often however, our young musicians are excluded from musical opportunities outside of NOFA due to the significant daily barriers they face, with many groups unwilling to make reasonable adjustments to cater to their level of need.

NOFA musicians take a moment away from orchestra rehearsals to enjoy an afternoon in the jamming room

As it stands, 50 per cent of NOFA members are in receipt of free school meals or come from areas of deprivation, 17 per cent are neurodivergent, 11 per cent have learning difficulties and 14 per cent have emotional and behavioural challenges.

That’s why they were joined at the spring residential by a lively team of NOFA ambassadors, volunteers and core staff as well as orchestral and wellbeing tutors, who were all on hand to build their confidence in performance and assist them throughout. Special guests included UK-based charity, Sound Connections, and book publisher, HarperCollins, who interviewed our young people and tutors to hear their inspiring stories.

For many attendees, one of the highlights of the course was the heart-warming recital evening, with NOFA members treating an intimate audience to stunning solos, original compositions and moving renditions of well-known tunes including Adele’s ‘Chasing Pavements’ and Whitney Houston’s ‘I will always love you’.

Meet our musicians >

NOFA guitarist, Kit, said: “Joining the orchestra has definitely helped my confidence with playing in front of other people. You’re surrounded by others doing the same thing and the support has been really good. NOFA is all about collaboration, community and creativity. Regardless of how nervous you might feel, you really enjoy it – and not many young people have the chance to do this, so I’m really grateful.”

NOFA ambassadors Mars, Kate, Phoebe, Joe and Isaac were on hand to help orchestra members throughout

NOFA parent, Polly, commented: “The work [OFA] does is amazing and there is no other setting where Cameron feels as happy, included and valued as with the NOFA family. Thank you so much for everything your team do to give Cam a place to belong, just the way he is and for bringing out the very best in him.”

NOFA Programme Manager, Paula, added: “My first NOFA was incredible. I loved getting to know the young people and I was blown away by their performances. It was inspiring being in the main hall with them, seeing how professional they all were. Big thanks to all the staff, tutors, volunteers and young ambassadors for supporting the project. I cannot wait until our next residential in Nottingham this summer!”

On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, our sincere gratitude goes out to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Aston University, our individual donors and loyal funders – the Ashley Family Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Wingate Foundation, Youth Music, Arts Council England, Headley Trust, Association of British Orchestra and Foyle Foundation – for making this spring residential possible.

To fund a life-changing programme like NOFA, please donate today >

Orchestras for All wins award for Outstanding Musical Initiative at the Music and Drama Education Awards 2022

“The judges were impressed by this initiative’s commitment to a truly inclusive experience for its members.”

Orchestras for All (OFA) is excited to announce that it has won the award for Outstanding Musical Initiative at the Music and Drama Education Awards 2022.

The prestigious accolade – sponsored this year by the Royal Marines Band Service – recognises any project in the UK that ‘has demonstrably improved music provision for students of any age,’ which can be run within an educational setting, charitably or commercially, and with any genre of music as its focus.

Taking place at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, last night’s glittering ceremony – hosted by Classic FM presenter, Myleene Klass – was attended by a team of individuals, schools, charities and organisations from all across the country, to celebrate the positive impact that these two key performing arts have on our lives.

Commending OFA for its efforts during the pandemic, Klass told audience members: “The judges were impressed by this initiative’s commitment to a truly inclusive experience for its members as well as a commitment to engaging with, and truly understanding, who they are trying to reach. They were also impressed by the team’s immediate and flexible response to lockdown.”

Meanwhile, Major Tom Crane of The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Collingwood – known worldwide for their musical morale boosters – made the big announcement as one of the event’s main sponsors.

Read more: Modulo resumes live events as music teachers and students join classrooms nationwide in ‘joyful’ music-making programme >

Awards host and Classic FM presenter, Myleene Klass, joins OFA in celebrating the win (Credit: Twitter)

In the UK, thousands of young people aged 11-18 currently face significant barriers to orchestral music-making – whether that’s due to a physical disability, mental health condition, economic deprivation or rural isolation – and this has been exacerbated by the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Meet Orchestras for All’s inspiring young musicians >

Orchestras for All’s vision is a country where any young person can have access to music-making – and to help achieve this, it has launched three powerful programmes: National Orchestra for All (the only fully inclusive, non-auditioned national youth orchestra in the world), Modulo, which kickstarts a vibrant music-making culture in schools and music hubs, and its Music Leadership Training course, supporting under-resourced teachers across the country.

NOFA ambassador, Kate, said: “A massive thank you for this award! It’s amazing to see OFA being recognised on a respected stage for all the amazing work that we do. However, this wouldn’t have been possible without our inspiring members and their feedback as well as our staff, who work tirelessly to make access to music-making a more normalised opportunity in so many different societies.”

NOFA ambassador, Joe, commented: “Winning this award really does go to show just how committed OFA is to providing amazing support to individuals and schools around the country. We are so appreciative that our work for increasing inclusion and access to music has been seen and heard so widely! A tremendous thanks to those who have supported us through to winning this wonderful award.”

Orchestras for All takes to the stage with The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines (Credit: Twitter)

Read Orchestras for All’s Impact Report 2020-2021 >

OFA’s Executive Director, Nick Thorne, added: “I have so much pride and admiration in everything that Orchestras for All has achieved during the pandemic and this recognition from the Music and Drama Education Awards goes out to each and every young musician, teacher, school, funder, partner, volunteer, tutor, trustee, freelancer and team member for their part.”

He continued: “It takes a village to raise a musician and without everyone, we wouldn’t be able to reach those most vulnerable young people who are too often excluded from participating in musical opportunities. My dream is that one day, organisations like Orchestras for All need not focus on breaking down barriers to music-making and that all organisations, schools, charities and musical opportunities in the UK are fully inclusive, accessible and open to all.”

Joining Nick for the memorable occasion were Emily Sayers and Kate Danielson, who both celebrate eight years of being on OFA’s Board of Trustees and will be stepping down after their final term this year.

The unsung heroes of the organisation, Kate and Emily, joined the charity at the very start and believed in its mission from day one. Between them, they have volunteered weeks of their time and supported the team to make OFA the impactful charity that it is today.  

OFA’s Executive Director, Nick Thorne, celebrates the award win with trustees Kate Danielson and Emily Sayers

Shortlisted alongside Orchestras for All in the Outstanding Musical Initiative category were Durham Music’s Big Play 2021, Lockdown Piping Club, Manor Music City, MiSST, Rap Club, Warwick Music Group (for Buzz21), and Young Voices, for YV Biggest Sing 2021.

Other worthy winners on the night included David Lewis, who took home the Lifetime Achievement Award, Ullswater Community College, for Outstanding School Music Department, and Theatre31, who won the Drama & Theatre Magazine Editor’s Award, to name but a few.

On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, thank you to those who have been part of our incredible music-making journey so far – our work and this award wouldn’t have been possible without you.

To support OFA’s life-changing programmes, please donate today >

Modulo resumes live events as music teachers and students join classrooms nationwide in ‘joyful’ music-making programme

Whether you’re looking to kickstart a culture of music-making or develop an existing ensemble, the Modulo Programme has you covered.

With the 2021-22 academic year now in full swing, Orchestras for All returns with an exciting new season of its Modulo Programme in a bid to improve access to music-making for young people in the UK.

After almost two years of unprecedented challenges faced by music teachers and their pupils as a direct result of the pandemic, the inspiring initiative has been specially designed to support under-resourced schools and community groups to set up their own inclusive orchestra, known as a ‘Modulo’.

A Modulo can be of any size, from four to 15, and is open to all skill levels and to any instrument – from violins and ukuleles, trumpets to melodicas.

Throughout the season, individual Modulos are brought together with others from across the country (either in person or online) at dynamic ‘Modulo Meets’, giving participants the opportunity to experience the magic of playing in a large-scale ensemble.

These memorable events, along with the provision of weekly resources, have led to the creation of 14 new orchestras over the past year – all with diversity and inclusivity at their core.

Sharing their experience of the Modulo Programme, a recent young participant said: “Thanks all of you – this is one of the best days I’ve ever had!”

Read more: RPS Awards 2021: Orchestras for All shortlisted in ‘Impact’ category >

Young people from across the country team up to make music together during a national Modulo Meet

Another student added: “The masterclass was a really worthwhile experience. The session was led by professional musicians who all gave us advice about having a musical career as well as helping us improve our band’s pieces. The exercises and warmups I played on the drums were really fun too!”

Despite government guidance around social distancing, bubbles and the termination of instrumental lessons, the Modulo Programme has reached 43 schools over the past year and engaged with 323 students – from Bradford to Aylesbury, Gravesend to Liverpool.

Now, participating schools will be gathering for Modulo’s regional meets at the Midlands Arts Centre (8 March), London’s Cecil Sharp House (14-15 March) and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (25 March), before joining forces at The Royal Academy of Music in July to play as one epic orchestra.

Find out more about the Modulo Programme >

Claire, a music teacher at Heworth Grange School in Gateshead, said: “It has been so hard with all the restrictions, so finally getting to do a proper rehearsal was brilliant – the pupils loved it! I can’t believe how well they did with their instruments.

“The wind players had all managed six new notes by the end of the day. Watching the pupils supporting each other was a joy. Although they’re all from the same year group, they’re not necessarily from the same classes but I can already see new friendships forming and they have the ‘status’ of being part of the Modulo Orchestra. This is known by their peers and they’re proud of it!”

In previous years, Modulo participants have been joined by National Orchestra for All composer, Jack McNeill, and visual artist, Bryony Simcox, who led a series of creative activities that later inspired the production of ‘Modulo Rondeau’, an interactive artwork based on sounds and drawings made by the young people.

Meanwhile, repertoire for the 2021-22 season, titled ‘The Way We See It’, includes ‘Spoitoresa’ – an arrangement of a Balkan gypsy dance performed by Bucharest-based band, Mahala Rai Banda, Purcell’s ‘Rondo’ from Abdelazar Suite (made famous as the theme to Britten’s ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’), excerpts from the fourth movement of Alice Mary Smith’s Symphony in A minor as well as ‘Crossfade’ by Jack McNeill, a recent commission exploring electronic dance music and the orchestra.

Read more: Over 100 school pupils nationwide team up online for epic day of music-making >

A team of professional musicians from Orchestras for All’s partners – BBC Philharmonic and City of London Sinfonia – will also be on hand once again to provide their expert insights and motivate the next generation of flautists, string players and those with less traditional instruments, such as the ukulele or harmonica.

‘Modulo Rondeau’, an interactive artwork inspired by the sounds and drawings made by Modulo participants

To further encourage creativity, participating students will be offered a music-making resource that allows them to remix their own backing track.

Sharing a few final thoughts on her personal experience of the Modulo Programme, Claire said: “All the pupils were inspired in our second rehearsal to develop their note playing, showing much more resilience than I was expecting and have witnessed in beginner instrumentalists before.

“I think it really helped them to see such a wide range of experience in the other schools. The Modulo Programme is brilliant and I’m already petitioning my Head for us to make it a regular part of our school – maybe even having Modulo groups in different year groups!”

On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, thank you to Scops Arts Trust, The Rayne Foundation, 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust and our loyal donors and supporters for their ongoing support towards the Modulo Programme – together, we can continue to break down barriers to music-making for our young people.

Learn more about the Modulo Programme >

From Glasgow to Liverpool and London: meet our new team who will embrace the digital workplace

Pictured: Ellie Dunachie, Paula Morgan and Sam Williams

Orchestras for All (OFA) is delighted to announce today its commitment to being truly national with new colleagues joining the management team from Glasgow, Liverpool and London.

Despite new challenges faced over the past few years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Orchestras for All has also embraced new opportunities and evolved and developed in response.

Nick Thorne, OFA’s Executive Director, says: “The world had to adapt quickly to working remotely back in March 2020 and we have taken the opportunity to adopt this way of working and ensure that our resources are no longer tied to our London office. I’m excited we have the opportunity to be able take this shift to learn and work with skilled colleagues all over the UK.

“There are so many benefits to embracing remote/hybrid working, not least the personal reasons of accessibility, flexibility, wellbeing and the ability to spend more time with loved ones or forgotten hobbies. The move will have a positive impact on the environment and will enable us to gain regional perspectives and understanding in addition to our colleagues already based in Cornwall, Lancashire and London.”

Joining the team over the next few weeks are Ellie Dunachie nee. Carnegie-Brown (Head of Programmes and Partnerships), Paula Morgan and Sam Williams (Programme Managers for National Orchestra for All and the Modulo and Music Leadership Training programmes, respectively).

Let’s find out more about Ellie, Paula and Sam…

National Orchestra for All musicians embrace the digital world at NOFA Festival 2021

Tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from and why music is important to you.

Ellie: I grew up in London, although my family home is now in Scotland. I joined our local church choir when I was seven years’ old, which I absolutely loved, and was lucky enough to learn the piano, flute and recorder in primary school. Music has played a huge role in my life ever since.

Paula: Throughout my professional career, I have worked with grassroots organisations breaking down barriers to the arts and creating new opportunities for people living in areas affected by poverty, refugees, asylum seekers, people with disabilities, and more. I am incredibly passionate about the arts and the transformative ways that it can help people, and feel very proud to be bringing this to OFA. 

Sam: My musical journey began almost as soon as I was born as my mum ran a record shop and both parents played instruments at home. I learned the guitar, piano, clarinet, bass clarinet and oboe as a child, although I was truly terrible at playing the oboe! Alongside these instruments, I sang in choirs, rock bands and as a soloist in variety shows and musicals.

Why is group music-making so vital for young people today?

Sam: For the past 13 years I have taught music in schools in the North West of England. I am proud to have seen a number of my students go on to careers in music. Helping students to improve, grow in confidence and achieve their dreams has been my most rewarding experience.

Ellie: The most important thing is that every young person has the opportunity to make music. If you’re in a supportive environment, making music can be incredible and so much fun. From personal experience, I also know how it can build confidence and skills, and also lead to life-long friends.

Young musicians play ‘Spoitoresa’ during National Orchestra for All’s winter rehearsal at Westminster School

Paula: Music can help channel how you are feeling, build connections that have been lost and also rebuild confidence. It is a great way to focus on an activity rather than what may be going on inside you and give you an outlet.

I know myself the first time we played together as a band, I felt like parts of me were being fitted back together like a jigsaw that had some pieces missing I wasn’t even aware of. And it’s fun! Looking around seeing everyone smiling, enjoying themselves and feeling proud is priceless. I can’t think of a better way to bring young people back together. 

Share some fun facts you’d like people to know about you

Paula: I was in a K-POP class for a year in Seoul even though I couldn't speak any Korean, so just had to follow the teacher’s moves. I have an encyclopaedic knowledge of Ru Paul’s Drag Race lip sync performances. When I hear a song, I can usually name the drag queens who have performed it.

Sam: I have an eclectic taste in music and perform music from as far back as the 1500s… sometimes in full costume!

Ellie: I used to take my recorder on our family holiday, and my younger sister would always hide it. I only recently found out that my parents actually asked her to do this… to this day I still have no idea why. I’ve also been skydiving and sung for the Queen!

Ellie, what’s your involvement in the Association of British Orchestras conference in Glasgow?

Ellie: I am speaking at the ABO conference this week as part of Find Your Way about post-covid leadership. Find Your Way is a nine-month programme focused on learning about and developing your own leadership style.

I’ve already learnt so much and am really looking forward to the conference this year. While I’m in Glasgow, I’m also very excited to be meeting Paula for a coffee!

Find out more about the existing Orchestras for All team here >

Orchestras for All’s Music Changes Lives campaign raises over £17,000!

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, donated, and offered support to Music Changes Lives 2021.

Orchestras for All is delighted to announce that it has raised a grand total of £17,339 as part of its Music Changes Lives winter campaign.

The moving appeal, which launched on Giving Tuesday last November and continued throughout December, aimed to spread awareness about the positive impact that orchestral music-making can have on young peoples’ lives – in particular, those who struggle to access music education in the UK.

This is due to the significant daily challenges that many young people currently face – whether that’s a physical disability, mental health condition, economic deprivation or rural isolation.

Following an inspiring launch event, which was attended online by sector friends and hosted by a dynamic team of young people, the charity has been able to raise vital funds for its three powerful programmes thanks to the incredible generosity of the public and match funding from Harriet’s Trust.

Katharine Allenby, Development Manager at OFA, said: “We're delighted that the message about what music can do and the impact it has on many young lives has been shared far and wide. This campaign has enabled us to welcome new supporters into our network to work with us, providing musical opportunities for young musicians facing barriers to music-making – we are so grateful for your support. Thank you!”

Read more: 13 smart ways to become a greener musician >

In the campaign video (watch above), nine National Orchestra for All (NOFA) musicians share why being part of the OFA family means so much to them. Alumnus Caleb, who had previously lacked in self-esteem, said: “After joining the orchestra, I felt liberated. I feel full of confidence; I feel powerful.”

Young violinist, Grace, who lives with autism, commented: “I realised that it’s okay to struggle because everyone has their own struggles and people will be very supportive of that.”

Read more: “I have social anxiety and didn’t think I was up to meeting new people – but National Orchestra for All is like a giant family,” says young violinist >

Current NOFA member, Cameron, who has ADHD and had previously faced barriers to music participation in his local area, added: “When I joined, it was like a dream come true. It was like everything had been solved; I could be a bit happier and my mum could be happier as well.”

On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, we would like to thank everyone who participated, donated, and offered support to Music Changes Lives 2021– without you, the work we do would not be possible.

To fund our life-changing programmes, please donate today >

‘I have social anxiety and didn’t think I was up to meeting new people – but National Orchestra for All is like a giant family,’ says young violinist

“In NOFA, it really doesn’t matter if you live with a disability – you can still play music.”

Meet Tianci. The first violinist enjoyed a quick tea break with us at Westminster School during National Orchestra for All’s recent winter session – the first in-person rehearsal for the ensemble in almost two years, owing to the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Here the Grade 8 musician tells us her moving story and shares words of wisdom with other young people who may be struggling…

What inspired you to pick up the violin?

I play the violin because you can do many things with a violin. You can pluck it, you can play bow on it, you can do a tremolo. If you picked guitar, I think you could only pluck it! I think if you tried to bow on it, it wouldn’t really work. But I mean, there is the viola and the cello and the double bass but I think the violin has the most – and it’s easy to carry.

You could say the same for the viola but I’m kinda used to the strings of B, D, A and E, rather than C. I mean it would work because they’re still in fifths, if you’re trying to play a scale but I think I’m more interested and open to violin.

What music are you enjoying playing at the moment?

The [NOFA] piece where it involves pizzicato – my mum printed the score for me and I practiced it before I came here today [to the NOFA Winter Session]. It’s one of the old pieces, starts with an S… ‘Spoitoresa’!

Read more: Watch young people facing barriers to music-making share moving words in powerful new video >

Pictured: National Orchestra for All (NOFA) violinist, Tianci, tunes up ahead of her first in-person rehearsal

How does it feel to be part of NOFA?

It feels good, it feels kind of like a giant family. Not to make it like weird but you know. It feels like everyone is your friend.

Has Orchestras for All helped to break down barriers to music-making for you?

Before I joined the orchestra, I think because I’m not really social and because I have social anxiety, I thought I wasn’t really up to meeting new people. But how I described it earlier, it’s like a giant family. I feel like I won’t be scared, I’ll be proud because I did go through all the playing. Everyone’s nice here, we’re all open. In my previous experiences at school, I got bullied but nobody bullies here. Everyone is really nice here.

You know Lucy [Hale]? We all value her, we all miss her – she kind of connected all of us in a way. That made us all like each other and be friends with everyone. Even like adult to adult, adult to child, child to child. It doesn’t matter what age, she joined all of us in a way. She still lives inside all of us.

Read more: A tribute to Lucy Hale, National Orchestra for All's former Young Composer-in-Residence >

Here it doesn’t matter if you’re disabled because you can still play music. You can be in a wheelchair and still play the trumpet or the clarinet. You could be in a wheelchair and play the violin. You could have a stammer and still play the violin. ‘Cos like music is like a new language. It’s a language we can all communicate by – the playing of music, if you know what I mean?

“Music is a new language – a language we can all communicate by,” says NOFA violinist, Tianci

Where do you picture yourself in 10 years’ time?

Now I do some conducting and some pieces for an orchestra. It’s around where I live in Richmond. I conduct in the orchestra and imagine one day being like a giant conductor or a lead violinist, ya know?

Read more: Orchestras for All’s Artistic Patron, Sian Edwards, shares her expert advice on how to lead an ensemble >

Like when we went to Leeds, there was a lead violinist who was really confident and I thought I just want to be like him. I think his name was Isaac or something, I’m not too sure. But yeah, I just want to be like a main violinist one day, enjoying my time.

If you could share a message with other young people who are considering joining an orchestra, what would it be?

I would probably say don’t be scared what other people think because their thoughts don’t matter. Their thoughts don’t matter to you. It’s your goal and if you just continue playing, you’re gonna get your goal.

There were loads of opinions about me before – I didn’t take it to person and now I’m still playing violin, Grade 8. That’s my main message I would say – don’t give up no matter what anyone else says.

Conductor Justin Fung (left) leads the way in Westminster School during a National Orchestra for All session

If Tianci’s story has tugged a heartstring and you would like to help our charity amplify its mission, inspire positive change and provide regular support to aspiring young musicians across the country, you can support us in the following three ways:

1. Please donate what you can

Every donation made – no matter how big or small – will bring us one step closer towards making music education accessible to all. Please also consider becoming one of our regular donors, funding our three powerful programmes through monthly donations.

2. Share our video with your network

Click the button below to access the link for our Music Changes Lives video and share it far and wide with friends, family and colleagues to spread the word about our life-changing work.

3. Subscribe to our newsletter

Join the conversation and stay in the loop with all the latest news from our charity, updates from across the sector and inspiring stories from our young people.

Watch young people facing barriers to music-making share moving words in powerful new video

“When I joined the orchestra, it was like a dream come true. It was like everything had been solved.”

Orchestras for All (OFA) has released a heartwarming new video in a bid to improve access to group music-making for young people in the UK.

Shared via YouTube, the four-minute clip (watch above) tells the inspiring stories of nine National Orchestra for All (NOFA) musicians who had previously struggled to access musical opportunities owing to the significant daily challenges in their lives – including economic deprivation, physical and mental health conditions, emotional, social and behavioural difficulties, being in care and acting as a young carer.

NOFA alumnus and trumpet player, Caleb, said: “Before joining the orchestra, I was timid. I lacked in confidence and self-esteem.”

Young violinist, Grace, commented: “Because I've got autism and other special needs, a lot of things I had auditioned for didn't let me in.”

Current NOFA member, Cameron, added: “Before I joined the orchestra, I was struggling and home-schooled. No schools would really take me in – I had no music clubs to go to.”

Read more: ‘National Orchestra for All is so diverse – but we’re united by a note,’ says 19-year-old trumpeter >

“Before joining the orchestra, I was timid. I lacked in confidence and self-esteem,” said NOFA alumnus, Caleb.

And they are not alone, with thousands of other young people across the country currently unable to access ensemble music-making owing to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing cuts to music funding in maintained schools.

Upon joining NOFA – one of OFA’s three powerful programmes and the only completely inclusive national youth orchestra in the country – Caleb, Grace and Cameron were able to leave their worries at the door and experience the many benefits that come with playing in an 100-strong ensemble, from forging lifelong friendships to improved social and communication skills.

Caleb said: “After joining the orchestra, I felt liberated. I feel full of confidence; I feel powerful.”

Grace added: “I realised that it’s okay to struggle because everyone has their own struggles and people will be very supportive of that.”

NOFA members enjoy a moment of music and togetherness online during the coronavirus pandemic

Read more: RPS Awards 2021 – Orchestras for All shortlisted in Impact category >

And for Cameron, having access to new musical opportunities meant everything. He said: “When I joined, it was like a dream come true. It was like everything had been solved; I could be a bit happier and my mum could be happier as well.”

The touching video forms part of OFA’s winter campaign, Music Changes Lives, which aims to spread awareness of common barriers to orchestral participation and encourage donations to the charity – each to be doubled on Giving Tuesday (30 November) and throughout the month of December, thanks to generous match funding from Harriet’s Trust.

This means a £10, £20 or £50 donation would see a total of £20, £40 or £100 go directly towards supporting young musicians most in need, helping OFA reach its fundraising target of £20,000.

National Orchestra for All (NOFA) musicians, Tashan (left) and Caleb (right), share their inspiring stories

The campaign comes as OFA reaches its 10-year milestone of life-changing work: in NOFA’s current cohort of 100 diverse young members, 98 per cent faced cultural barriers before joining, 55 per cent were unable to play in an orchestra due to autism, a physical disability, learning difference, or social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, and 37 per cent come from underrepresented groups in the professional orchestral sector.

Read more: Music teachers and students invited to join classrooms nationwide in ‘joyful’ music-making programme >

While there is still much to be done across the arts sector, with hundreds of school pupils teaming up for OFA’s Modulo Programme each year and a growing network of Music Leadership Training participants, there are plenty of reasons to feel hopeful.

“You put all your energy into playing and it feels like you’re part of a big family,” says NOFA alumnus, Siana

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If Music Changes Lives has tugged a heartstring and you would like to help our charity amplify its mission, inspire positive change and provide regular support to aspiring young musicians across the country, you can support us in the following three ways:

1. Please donate what you can

Every donation made – no matter how big or small – will bring us one step closer towards making music education accessible to all. Please also consider becoming one of our regular donors, funding our three powerful programmes through monthly donations.

2. Share our video with your network

Click the button below to access the link for our Music Changes Lives video and share it far and wide with friends, family and colleagues to spread the word about our life-changing work.

3. Subscribe to our newsletter

Join the conversation and stay in the loop with all the latest news from our charity, updates from across the sector and inspiring stories from our young people.

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Esteemed music educator Professor Nate Holder announced as first host in free webinar series for music leaders

“I think it’s important for us to understand why we do the things that we do, in order to make it better for the young people around us.”

Orchestras for All (OFA) is delighted to announce that leading saxophonist, author, speaker and music education consultant, Professor Nate Holder, will be hosting the launch of its live webinar series for 2021-2022.

The series, which commences on 7 December, forms part of Music Leadership Training (MLT) – the charity’s continuing professional development (CPD) programme, specially designed to equip music teachers and leaders with the tools and skills they need to set up and run inclusive ensembles in under-resourced schools and community groups.

With thousands of music educators across the UK still facing significant challenges as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, the need to provide support and improve access to music-making is growing.

Nate, who is currently serving as International Chair of Music Education at the Royal Northern College of Music, is perhaps best known for penning several children’s books – including I Wish I Didn’t Quit: Music Lessons (2018) and Where Are All The Black Female Composers (2020).

Ahead of the event, Nate said: “I’m really happy to be doing a session in association with Orchestras for All, called ‘Music educators: why do we do what we do?’. That’s a question I ask myself often. 

“Why do I do what I do? Why do I do it in the way that I do it? I think it’s important for us as we’re learning and growing in 2021 to understand why we do the things that we do, in order to make it better for the young people around us.”

Read more: ‘National Orchestra for All is so diverse – but we’re united by a note,’ says 19-year-old trumpeter >

Pictured: Professor Nate Holder

To address this topic, Nate’s live Zoom session will be exploring key topics such as whiteness in music education, diversity versus decolonisation and how relationships form an integral part of a music educator’s practise.

He said: “The focus of this session is really going to look at our practises and try to attempt to break down certain misconceptions and broaden our horizons, so that the young people that we work with can feel the benefit of a more inclusive and diverse education.

“Of course, this is just one session and one session won’t fix everything, but I think it’s important to start somewhere.”

Alongside his expert insights, attendees will be encouraged to interact during the event and share their personal experiences in music education, with the key aim of making the industry a better and safer place for all.

Learn more about Music Leadership Training >

To complement OFA’s webinar series, 10 online modules are also available as part of MLT – providing flexible, hands-on training through short videos filmed in real life contexts and in partnership with leading practitioners.

As well as covering traditional conducting techniques, the course invites users to reflect on approaches to group composing, learning music by ear, teaching music without notation and arranging music for inclusive ensembles. 

Conductor Sian Edwards shares her expertise with participants during a Music Leadership Training session

In 2020-2021, a total of 190 participants enjoyed virtual and face-to-face sessions. Tor, a music teacher and recent MLT participant, said: “It was all so, so useful! I came away with new techniques for conducting in 2/4, which will be invaluable. The bit where Sian [Edwards] focused on my piece was also immensely helpful – very personalised and inspiring.

“This was exactly what I needed to keep my spark about ensembles during a tough time for music at schools. It has given me renewed energy for getting our groups back again as soon as possible. I am inspired to do more conducting training because of this, so thank you to Sian and Orchestras for All for arranging the training.”

While OFA’s forthcoming webinar series is free to attend, participants are invited to donate what they can to help the charity continue its life-changing work.

Music educators: why do we do what we do? will be available to livestream via Zoom on Tuesday, 7 December 2021 at 17:30 GMT.

Sign up for Professor Nate Holder’s webinar >

RPS Awards: winners announced for 2021 as Abel Selaocoe and The Hermes Experiment stun with live performances

Pictured: Abel Selaocoe and Ryan Bancroft (left) and The Hermes Experiment (right). Credit: Twitter @kate_caro and @TheHExperiment

“Music will help us through anything, so long as we help the musicians who make it,” says RPS Chief Executive, James Murphy.

Last night, the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2021 announced its winners in a glittering live ceremony at London’s iconic Wigmore Hall.

Hosted by BBC Radio 3’s Katie Derham and RPS Chief Executive, James Murphy, it was surely a memorable event for attendees following almost two years of music venue closures during the coronavirus pandemic.

James Murphy, said: “Once again, in times of struggle, our eyes and ears have been opened to the essential role that music plays. Musicians have shown us what role they can play in fortifying the nation.

“Everyone we applaud tonight is representative of countless more creative forces across the country, many onstage working their magic as we stand here. Here’s to that bright constellation of music-makers.”

Read more: Teenage flautist quizzes Orchestras for All founder as charity celebrates 10-year milestone >

English National Opera’s Breathe scheme wins the RPS Award for Impact. Credit: Twitter @E_N_O

Supported by ABRSM, English National Opera’s inspiring scheme, Breathe, took home the prize for the Impact category – with Orchestras for All (OFA) and Live Music Now both making it as proud finalists.

Discover Orchestras for All’s programmes >

Led by ENO Director of Baylis, Jenny Mollica, and delivered in close collaboration with Imperial College Healthcare, the online breathing and wellbeing programme was developed to help recovering Covid-19 patients struggling with breathlessness and associated anxiety through singing.

While speaking about OFA’s efforts during the pandemic, James Murphy told audiences that the charity had become something of a ‘national treasure’ thanks to its three powerful programmes and culture of inclusive music-making.

Other winners on the night included Scottish violinist, Nicola Benedetti, who was presented with the Instrumentalist Award for the ‘outstanding quality and scope’ of her performances, presented digitally or for a live audience.

Members of the Orchestras for All team celebrate at the RPS Awards 2021 after being shortlisted for Impact.

Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason took to the stage to accept the Storytelling award for her book, House of Music – a powerful and heartrending memoir detailing the remarkable journey of her musical family in a country divided by class and race.

During her speech, the mother of seven said: “House of Music is many things, but it is at its heart about gratitude.”

Read more: ‘Coming from a working class family, classical music seemed so inaccessible’, says teenage clarinetist >

Meanwhile, Hilary Campbell and the Bristol Choral Society made it to the top spot for the newly introduced Inspiration Award – as voted for by the public – and BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ principal conductor, Ryan Bancroft, was commended for his ‘electrifying concerts’ with the RPS Conductor award.

Chamber ensemble The Hermes Experiment perform Piazzolla at the RPS Awards. Credit: @TheHExperiment

Tribute was also paid to star mezzo-soprano, Jennifer Johnston, with the RPS award for Singer, Dani Howard’s Trombone Concerto won Large-Scale Composition, and chamber ensemble, The Hermes Experiment, collected the prize for Young Artist before treating audiences to their dazzling arrangement of Piazzolla’s ‘Concert of d’aujourd’hui’ from Histoire du Tango.

Other highlights included an energetic opening performance of ‘Ka Bohaleng’ from South African cellist, Abel Selaocoe, and a rousing recital from bassoonist Ashby Mayes – who received financial assistance from RPS in 2018 for buying his bassoon and is now an undergraduate student at the Royal College of Music.

On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, we would like to thank the Royal Philharmonic Society and Wigmore Hall for a wonderful evening of music and togetherness, and extend our congratulations to all fellow nominees and worthy winners at this year’s Awards.

To fund Orchestras for All’s life-changing programmes, please donate today >

Teenage flautist quizzes Orchestras for All founder as charity celebrates 10-year milestone

“The youth voice has always been fundamental and important – we adults have just taken far too long to sit up and recognise that.”

Orchestras for All (OFA) has been on quite the journey since its inception almost a decade ago, where it first revealed its mission to kickstart a vibrant new culture of inclusive music-making in the UK.

Fast forward to 2021 and the charity proudly supports thousands of aspiring young musicians and music educators through its three powerful programmes: National Orchestra for All (NOFA), Modulo and Music Leadership Training.

To mark this new milestone in the charity’s 10-year history, NOFA ambassador, Phoebe, shared a virtual tea break with its Founding Director, Marianna Hay MBE, to reflect on what has been achieved so far and what the future holds.

Describing her experience as a former NOFA flautist (watch video above), Phoebe said: “There’s no doubt that it’s such a successful programme. It’s been really nice because I’ve [grown up with] the orchestra, first playing as a 15-year-old and now I’m on the other side [as an ambassador]. It was really nice to meet people – where you came from mattered but it also didn’t matter.

“[In NOFA], you hear all these different accents but when you play the music, you’re all just part of the orchestra. Now we’ve got people flying in from [Northern] Ireland and Wales, all coming together – it’s honestly so amazing!”

Read more: ‘National Orchestra for All is so diverse – but we’re united by a note,’ says 19-year-old trumpeter >

Pictured: National Orchestra for All Ambassador, Phoebe (left), and OFA founder, Marianna Hay MBE (right)

In NOFA’s current cohort of 100 diverse young members, 98 per cent faced cultural barriers before joining, 55 per cent were unable to play in an orchestra due to autism, a physical disability, learning difference, or social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, and 37 per cent come from underrepresented groups.

And with hundreds of school pupils teaming up for Modulo each year and a growing network of MLT participants – who have regularly gathered together online despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic – there’s certainly much to be proud of at OFA.

Read more: RPS Awards 2021: Orchestras for All shortlisted in ‘Impact’ category >

Sharing her inspiration behind the musical initiative, Marianna explained: “First and foremost, it was the young people that I had been teaching in a secondary school in London. I was inspired by the extraordinary commitment of the students, many of whom didn’t have much support back at home or in other parts of their life.

“They’d come to the music block every day during breaks and lunch times, form friendship groups out of it, and their love of it was so authentic and real – despite the fact they hadn’t had much support or experience.”

She continued: “Another inspiring person in the journey of OFA was the head teacher of the school where I’d worked, Truda White, who promoted the idea that music could be socially transformative for young people. It felt as though there was a glaringly obvious gap for a national orchestra in this country that could be accessed by people of any musical ability, where cost was not an issue, where they didn’t have to audition, and where it was a truly welcoming and inclusive experience.

National Orchestra for All (NOFA) members gather online to make music together during the pandemic

While founding Orchestras for All may have somewhat fulfilled Marianna’s vision for improving access to music-making, the Scotland-based mother of two admits there is still much to be done.

Sharing her hopes for the future of the charity, Marianna said: “Orchestras for All will be a totally leading light in what it means to combine wellbeing with creative endeavour, and the Modulo Programme has the potential to be in every region across the country. Ultimately though, we’re fulfilling a need here, so should the charity even need to exist in 10 years’ time?”

But for Phoebe, who faces daily challenges living with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and had previously experienced barriers to orchestral participation, there’s an alternative: “I would like to think (just because I’ve enjoyed it so much) that rather than OFA not existing, we’d shift our views to the experience of people coming together when the focus isn’t on the problem of equal access to music.”

With youth voice at the heart of Orchestras for All’s 2021-2026 five-year strategy, Phoebe’s thoughts have never been more influential and are shared by many other young musicians across the charity – including its inspiring trustees, Young Leaders and recently recruited youth board.

Marianna said: “The youth voice has always been fundamental and important – we adults have just taken far too long to sit up and recognise that.”

To give the gift of music to young musicians like Phoebe, please donate today >