Music matters: Orchestras for All invites young people in the UK to join its new season of inclusive programmes

Shaping the future of music, one note at a time…

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 on their musical journey, OFA welcomes all young people to join its vibrant community and enjoy its life-changing activities.

NOFA violinist, Freya, said: “I think you should join NOFA because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you’ll never want to leave! It gives you a new outlook on other people and instruments – and it’s something you can’t get anywhere else.”

A Modulo participant commented: “I love Modulo because the people here are super nice and they’ll help you no matter what skill level you are.”

Read more: Not Just A Note – 7 reasons National Orchestra for All’s inspiring young musicians urge others to join >

What are the NOFA and Modulo programmes?

National Orchestra for All: NOFA is an inclusive, non-auditioned national youth orchestra bringing together an inspiring group of around 100 young people aged 11-19 from across the UK – regardless of their background, musical ability or choice of instrument – for an 18-month season of group music-making.

The orchestra performs all types of music, from popular songs to classical works, film music to jazz, video game soundtracks to dance anthems as well as world music. Members also create their own pieces with professional composers.

We want to ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to participating, so everything is covered for young people to join NOFA, including their food, travel, accommodation and tuition. 

Modulo Programme: We support teachers and music leaders in schools and local community groups to set up and run their own mini orchestras, known as ‘Modulos’. They receive all the music and resources they need to create an inclusive, accessible and high-quality musical experience for young people.

Throughout the year, Modulos from different parts of the UK come together to perform as one large-scale orchestra at ‘Modulo Meets’, culminating in an energising showcase of group music-making, with summer concerts open to the public.

Pictured: National Orchestra for All members enjoy a break from rehearsals at CBSO Centre in summer 2024.

Reflecting on the previous season

With its wide range of workshops, social activities, youth leadership initiatives and colourful concerts, NOFA’s 2023-24 season was a truly memorable experience for all involved. Its powerful theme, ‘Sounds of Change’, explored how music can often inspire, reflect and drive change in society as well as within ourselves.

Members had the opportunity to rehearse and perform at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and CBSO Centre, all the while supported by an expert team of 10 Ambassadors and orchestral and wellbeing tutors.

Chosen in collaboration with the young people we work with, NOFA repertoire included an eclectic mix of works that celebrated diversity and challenged the status quo. From ever-eerie ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials to Florence Price’s sweet-sounding Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Gamelan-inspired pieces to original compositions written with NOFA members, we’ve taken away memories and connections to last a lifetime.

Read more: 7 ways that youth leadership will empower your youth orchestra >

Meanwhile, 250 young musicians from 30 schools and community groups joined us at leading arts venues in London, Birmingham, Manchester and York for our eight Modulo Meets. Performing Stevie Wonder’s funk classic, ‘I Wish’, as part of their concert programme, participants had audiences grooving all over the country.

In 2024, we were delighted to see 19 new Modulo ensembles established. We also held 20 in-person workshops, created visual scores to make our resources more inclusive, launched a new digital hub for Modulo leaders to access their resources more easily and worked with the first Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) school to join the programme.

View our summer 2024 picture gallery >

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 significant barriers to group music-making, making it possible for all young people to participate, regardless of their background.

• Perform in prestigious 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 health and wellbeing of participants at the heart of all programme activity.

How to apply

This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary. Take a moment to sign up and let’s continue creating sounds of change with the next generation!

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.

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Watch young musicians’ plea as they urge public to break down barriers to music making

As Orchestras for All launches its spring season with a vibrant new visual identity, young musicians highlight why breaking down barriers to music making is more important than ever.

Earlier today, special guests and a team of young musicians joined Orchestras for All on Zoom for a moment of musical solidarity as we celebrate the launch of our ambitious five-year strategy.

To mark the occasion, we’re proud to unveil a bold new visual identity – designed in collaboration with our recently recruited youth board.

Although we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far – all made possible by the ongoing support of our loyal partners and donors – we understand that there is still much work to be done and especially now during the coronavirus pandemic.

Following 10 years of breaking down barriers, we share a renewed vision: a country where all young people aged 11-19 can access the joy and benefits of playing music with others, regardless of the daily challenges they may face.

Read more: 17 things you’ll only understand if you’ve played in a youth orchestra >

Pictured (left to right): National Orchestra for All ambassador Kate (trombone), current NOFA member Haseeb (trombone) and Orchestras for All Trustee, Joelle (cello).

With our exciting line-up of inclusive music making opportunities, we’re ready to redefine what an orchestra is, who it is for and the positive impact it can have, while also empowering young people and energising music educators to lead change in their schools or local communities.

As part of this, Orchestras for All’s new programme includes a special season of work for National Orchestra for All (the UK’s only completely inclusive national youth orchestra), titled ‘The Way We See It’ – a musical portrayal of equality, diversity and inclusion and with youth voice at its core.

Read more on National Orchestra for All >

For a worrying 98 per cent of National Orchestra for All (NOFA) members, cultural barriers and limited access to music making have prevented them from doing what they love the most.

Urging others to support orchestral music making (see video above), NOFA clarinetist, Joe, said: “Coming from a working class background, classical music seemed so inaccessible. It just seemed like something for the rich and wealthy. You could learn but weren’t given the opportunity to unless you had the money.”

National Orchestra for All members, tutors and ambassadors team up online for the first day of the NOFA course – complete with an epic array of musical instruments.

Many of our young musicians also face health barriers, with 55 per cent previously unable to play in an orchestra due to autism, a physical disability, learning difficulty, or social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.

But when young musicians join the National Orchestra for All, they leave their worries and responsibilities at the door. Violinist, NOFA ambassador and young carer, Isaac, said: “Being a NOFA member gave me some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. You play great music, you meet amazing people – and there’s a tonne of support, so that any problems that you have can be dealt with.”

Current NOFA member and viola player, Hannah, added: “It means a lot to me because I was able to gain my confidence and speak to new people. It encouraged me to share my ideas.”

Read more: Easter 2021 playlist: National Orchestra for All ambassadors share their musical favourites >

And despite only 1.6 per cent of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians being members of British orchestras, NOFA is now the most diverse orchestra in the UK with 37 per cent of players coming from underrepresented groups and 54 per cent also based in the lowest 3 IDACI multiple deprivation deciles.

Through a combination of our three core programmes – NOFA, Modulo (supporting teachers and schools to develop an ensemble) and Music Leadership Training (boosting the skills of music leaders and educators) – Orchestras for All is fully committed to enacting positive change over the next five years.

Thanks to our Modulo Programme, we’re pleased to share that 710 young people will have the opportunity to perform in their school in 2021 as well as attending regional and national activities, with 47 secondary schools taking part nationwide.

While the effects of the coronavirus pandemic may be ongoing, we can’t – and won’t – let that be another barrier to music making.  

Please join Orchestras for All’s movement today and support our young musicians >