Orchestras for All

General information

Orchestras for All has a big vision: music without boundaries. We are pioneering a new approach to transforming young people’s lives through music. Our mission is to unlock access to the life-changing experience of ensemble music-making for 11-18 years olds with complex lives.

What makes Orchestras for All different?

We systematically remove all barriers to orchestral music-making be they financial, logistical, social and musical. We collaborate with partner organisations dedicated to social change – not just in the arts but across sectors – to ensure we reach the young people in low-income communities who have the least access to high quality musical experiences. We harness the power of the orchestra to help young people with complex lives develop a raft of non-musical skills, such as teamwork and confidence. We work with world-class artists to give them unforgettable, high-class artistic experiences.

The challenge

High quality musical experiences, including that of the great orchestral canon are of intrinsic value and should be accessible to everyone. We know that music-making at this level has the power to transform lives. Research consistently shows that music-making transcends educational ability, socio-economic status and disability. It gives young people a unique way to express themselves. And it brings multiple benefits – such as confidence, self-discipline, cultural awareness and self-esteem.

Yet music education and high quality musical experiences are inconsistently resourced across the UK. And young people with complex lives are often the first to miss out. Opportunities for orchestral music-making too often go towards those who are already privileged in some way. This is deeply unfair. It means disadvantaged young people repeatedly miss out on the unique opportunity of ensemble music-making and cannot realise all the non-musical benefits that flow from it.

The solution

In 2011, Marianna Hay, former Director of Music at Highbury Grove School, set out to address this social injustice and Orchestras for All was born. She started by forming a national orchestra for 40 11-18 year olds, in 2011. Since then Orchestras For All has evolved into a three distinctive and innovative activities:

The National Orchestra for All

The National Orchestra for All (NOFA) is ourflagship programme: a unique, mixed ability orchestra of 100 11-18 year olds.Our young musicians are nominated by their music teachers to take partfor dedication and commitment to music in challenging circumstances, such as a complex family background, or a chronic health condition.They do not audition and can be of any musical standard.Many are from Teach First schools, which serve some of the most deprived communities in the UK.NOFA is entirely free of charge.This creates a highly inclusive, mixed ability group of young musicians.The 12-month programme consists of orchestral residential courses, workshops and spectacular public performances.

“It’s made me more confident in everything I do. I'm not as shy and held back any more...When I start new things outside of NOFA I find that the confidence is still there” – Emma Curzon, NOFA member

The Modulo Programme

First piloted in 2013, the Modulo Programme is a flexible, creative in-schools initiative that overcomes the inconsistent provision of music education across the UK. We work with under-resourced schools and community groups to help them set up and run ensembles – regardless of skill level or type of instruments available. This national network of ensembles, called ‘Modulos’, enhances ensemble music-making by 11-18 year olds in low-income areas. The programme helps music teachers and community groups run rewarding ensembles for students of any instrument skill level who are keen in take part in music. We provide them with rehearsal plans, resources, and specially-arranged Modulo Music that flexibly caters to all ability levels. Twice a year we bring the Modulos together to perform as a large-scale orchestra – once regionally and once nationally.

“There had been such a lack of opportunity for ensemble work in school prior to the Modulo Programme...this has really inspired lots of change in the music department” – Charlotte Lamont, music teacher Oasis Academy Shirley Park

Conductors for Change

Now in its fourth year, Conductors for Change (CFC) offers music teachers and music leaders the opportunity to get training and support in music leadership. Our CFC workshops are led by distinguished conductors, such as Sian Edwards, Professor of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music and Bob Pepper MBE.

The programme has been successful at cascading our innovative approach to Teach First music teachers, who work in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. We are teaching them our techniques so that they can use them to help transform their pupils’ chances in life through music.

“I now have 100% confidence in conducting at school as previously I hadn’t had any experience of doing this” – Rebecca Quiney, music teacher, Whitmore High School