MEET OUR MUSICIANS
At Orchestras for All, we’re true champions of diversity.
We love to celebrate the fact that each and every one of our young musicians has an inspiring story to tell about their life and personal connection to music.
And with the National Orchestra for All (NOFA) welcoming 100 keen members every year – there’s so much to share! Here are just a few of our musical friends…
HASEEB: “It feels like a family of people from all over the UK and not everyone is the same – there’s loads of differences between each member and it’s the fact that we can be part of something bigger together.”
MEGAN: “I come from a fairly poor background, so if it wasn't for NOFA I wouldn’t be the person I am today and wouldn't have my friends. I’m so grateful for hope that NOFA continues in future.”
PHOEBE: “I honestly don't think I would have gone down the route I have done in studying performing arts at A Level and then going on to do music at university if I hadn't experienced travelling the country in a large youth ensemble.”
TIANCI: “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. In NOFA, it doesn’t matter if you live with a disability – you can still play music.”
HANNAH: “NOFA is special to me because you get to meet people from different backgrounds. They may have started somewhere different to you – but somehow you’ve ended up in the same place.”
JOE: “NOFA advanced my musical skills grade upon grade, year after year and the [team] are always willing to help you learn. It also massively widened my classical music range – I now have a classical playlist that’s 300 pieces long!”
Jake and Elliott
“National Orchestra for All has offered us such a diverse range of music to play – it opened our eyes to music we may never have looked at!”
Freya
“I’m not an overly confident person and can get quite anxious about things, but performing in an orchestra (or in any other musical thing) I feel more confident.”
Alasdair
“I love playing violin because of the huge range of sounds you can get from it; it can be a percussion instrument one minute to a guitar the next.”
DYLAN: “The concerts are always moving for us as parents – seeing our boy as part of this group is so encouraging but bigger than this, it’s joyful to see so many young people enjoying music and creating something special together.”
ELEN: “Music is immensely important to me! I think it is such a positive thing and I wish more people had access to it.”
NOAH: “Friends and family noticed a huge difference in him after his time with National Orchestra for All. He stood taller and talked to people about the concert and the course.”
ALANNAH: “As much as being part of the orchestra has taught me a great deal musically, I believe it has been most beneficial to me as a person.”
BEN: “We are all there to play music because we love it… and that makes me feel good because you know you are not the only one who likes music.”
CHARLEY: “One word: confidence. I’m just much more confident as a person directly because of the National Orchestra for All.”
EDWARD: “It’s not so much ‘Get this right’ as ‘Let’s work together and get it right’.”
NAZAR: “I have wanted to come back every single year because of the thrill and adrenaline pumping feeling I get from the end of course concert.”
DERONNE: “I learned how to be confident, committed, focused and dedicated.”
