Over £18,000 raised for aspiring young musicians after members of the public perform together for the first time

“It was the best day of my year, if not years!”

Orchestras for All (OFA) is delighted to share that its winter fundraiser, Musical Chairs 2022, has raised £18,101.20 for young people engaged in its life-changing programmes, who would otherwise struggle to access musical opportunities due to the daily barriers they face.

Hosted last month at Westminster School, London, the inclusive event welcomed a diverse cohort of all ages, skillsets and backgrounds, who played together as an orchestra for the very first time – with many also picking up a new instrument for the first time. They were led by OFA’s Artistic Director and conductor, Emma Oliver-Trend, and supported by a friendly team of orchestral tutors, alumni and National Orchestra for All members – all kindly volunteering their time on the day.

After spending the morning rehearsing an eclectic programme of repertoire – including ‘Allegro’, taken from Alice Mary Smith’s Symphony in A minor, and Romanian folk tune, ‘Spoitoresa’ – attendees performed together live in concert for an audience at the school.

Ten-year-old participant, Mahi, said: “My piano teacher told me about Musical Chairs. I thought it sounded fun and it was for a good cause, so I played the flute. I enjoyed meeting new people and the challenge of making new pieces sound perfect in one day. Everyone should have the chance to do this because you can express yourself musically.”

Her father, Ketan, also joined the ensemble. He told us: “I signed up Mahi and was gratified to be asked to join the percussion section when we showed up – it was touching that the volunteers cheerily thought I could contribute too, so I was on the tambourine and congas (having never played them before!).”

Read more: Vulnerable young musicians supported nationwide as Orchestras for All secures new Arts Council England funding >

Pictured: Ten-year-old participant, Mahi, plays the flute with the Musical Chairs 2022 orchestra

Ketan continued: “I enjoyed discovering a new musical ability, being encouraged to dive in without thinking too much and producing a workable sound despite having no experience whatsoever. Nervousness evaporated quickly with tutor Andre’s strong support, teaching and confidence that we could do it without fuss. I was quite happy to tell anyone who’d listen at the end of the concert that it was the best day of my year, if not years! The volunteers were kind and helpful and Emma was encouraging throughout.”

As part of the fundraising concert, audience members also heard first-hand accounts from those who have benefitted from OFA’s work – including young trustee, Chloe Morgan, National Orchestra for All (NOFA) trumpeter, Tashan, and fellow NOFA trumpeter, Cameron, who gave a heartfelt speech alongside his mother, Polly.

Read more: Meet Orchestras for All’s barrier-smashing new trustees! >

Ketan said: “Without music and music-making, we are lost and really cannot thrive in any other parts of our lives. OFA‘s mission to break down barriers for young people is essential for opening doors in music and other areas of their potential. During the concert, it was touching to hear some of them tell the audience how OFA has transformed their lives. Young people are among the wisest people I come across, since they are not completely conditioned as yet to see life as a glass half empty – their clarity and honesty is compelling.

“I am mystified why being what you are limits your possibilities due to others’ prejudices – and that is why OFA’s work on diversity, inclusion and youth voice is essential to removing barriers. The barriers may never be completely removed but the music-making must go on!”

To the beat: Orchestras for All’s percussion tutor, Andre (left) and Musical Chairs participant, Ketan (right)

On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, we would like to thank Harriet’s Trust for match funding the event, our wonderful participants, orchestral tutors, alumni, volunteers, funders, individual donors and Westminster School for making Musical Chairs 2022 possible. Scroll down for a few of the highlights!

If you would like to support OFA’s life-changing work for aspiring young musicians across the UK, please donate what you can today >

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Musical Chairs 2022 in pictures

Orchestras for All Trustee and cellist, Joelle

Question time from the strings during rehearsals

Fluttering flautists

Music can be enjoyed by everyone

From guitars to melodicas, all instruments are welcome in our inclusive ensemble

It’s all smiles from OFA trustees and Musical Chairs participants, Lucinda (middle) and Rosie (right)

Orchestras for All’s Artistic Director and conductor, Emma, leads the way

Modulo Programme Manager, Sam (middle) and OFA’s Executive Director, Nick (right) join the strings

Inspiring National Orchestra for All flautist, Ricardo, supports the woodwind section

The full ensemble

Impromptu percussionist, Ketan, couldn’t wait to get stuck in!

OFA’s Founding Director, Marianna

Going strong on the xylophone

Booming brass

Collection buckets at the ready for our winter fundraiser!

Final rehearsal before the afternoon concert

A witty host: National Orchestra for All trumpeter, Tashan, introduces the live show

Powerful words were shared by young musicians as part of the event

A moving speech from National Orchestra for All trumpeter, Cameron, and his mum, Polly

Our diverse cohort included complete beginners to professionals with years of experience

Mahi and OFA volunteer, Laura, put their busy day of rehearsals to the test – and did an excellent job!

National Orchestra for All’s keyboard tutor, Matt, plays along to ‘Spoitoresa’ on the melodica

Audience members enjoy a quick video starring young musicians from the Modulo Programme

Musical Chairs participant and OFA Trustee, Philip Raperport, takes a moment to enjoy the show

Time for some audience participation – body percussion with orchestral tutor, Andre!

One of OFA’s young trustees, Chloe, shares what Orchestras for All means to her

A round of applause from Artistic Director, Emma

Participants congratulate each other after a brilliant live performance

Pictured (middle): Orchestras for All’s strings tutor, Lawrence

National Orchestra for All pals, Ricardo and Tashan

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Musical Chairs 2022 – we hope to see you again soon!

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“Music is about connecting with others and expressing yourself,” explains violist

The keen string player shares her thoughts as members of the public prepare to gather for a day of music-making at Musical Chairs 2022.

Orchestras for All’s winter fundraiser, Musical Chairs 2022, is just on the horizon – and our music-making family couldn’t be more excited to welcome this year’s diverse cohort of participants, who will be joining us from all across the country.

Taking place on Sunday 20 November 2022 at Westminster School, London, the inclusive event invites you – budding musicians and members of the public – to embark on a new challenge and experience what it feels like to perform with an orchestra for a day, regardless of your age, background or musical skill level.

What’s more, it’s all for a good cause – every single donation (whether that’s through sponsorship to participate or an individual donation to play) will be match funded by Harriet’s Trust, helping us to develop our three life-changing programmes that break down barriers to music-making for young people in the UK.

With our friendly team of NOFA members, alumni and orchestral tutors on hand to support you during rehearsals, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned professional or a complete beginner – everyone is welcome to play.

Megan Jowett, who will be supporting the violin and viola sections at Musical Chairs 2022, said: “I’ll be helping each section by playing alongside our participants as well as supporting them with bowing suggestions or ways of performing different sections of music – hopefully making it much easier for them!”

Learn more about Musical Chairs 2022 >

Pictured: Musical Chairs participants gather at Cecil Sharp House, London, for a day of group music-making

Megan continued: “For me, music – and Musical Chairs – is about the connections you make with other people. It’s enjoying the process of learning new skills, the different sounds you can make on your instrument and how you can express yourself, while exploring the stories of each piece of music.”

However, it’s not the first time the string player has performed live with a large-scale ensemble. Sharing a few of her career highlights so far, she explained: “I feel very lucky to have been involved in musical projects with some brilliant musicians – some of my favourites have been performing improvised music in Berlin, recording for TV and film and playing in some amazing concert halls all over the UK.

Watch this epic live concert starring NOFA at Nottingham’s Albert Hall >

“I love the work I do outside of performance as well, like leading creative workshops for children and their families as well as teaching students the violin and viola. A fun fact about me is that I started weaving and macramé during lockdown, so now my house is full of looms!”

Comedian and TV presenter, Sue Perkins, leads the way at Musical Chairs 2016

In true Orchestras for All style, repertoire at Musical Chairs 2022 will be specially arranged for a mixed-ability ensemble and includes ‘Spoitoresa’ – a sprightly Romanian folk song that was performed by National Orchestra for All at Nottingham’s Albert Hall in the summer.

With many participants often taking up the challenge of picking up a new musical instrument just weeks before the event – which includes performing live in concert to an intimate audience – it offers a refreshing alternative to the usual list of New Year’s Resolutions.

Megan said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting all the participants, hearing how everything comes together on the day and playing ‘Allegro’ from Alice Mary Smith’s Symphony in A minor. I’ve never played this piece before, so I’m excited to learn it!”

Keen to join Megan in the Musical Chairs orchestra and support aspiring young musicians in the process? Find out more and sign up >

Musical Chairs 2022: experience the magic of performing with a live symphony orchestra at this epic one-day fundraiser

Taking place in London this November, Musical Chairs 2022 aims to make a difference to the lives of aspiring young musicians nationwide.

Are you keen to try something new this winter and make a positive impact in the process? If so, join Orchestras for All (OFA) for its exciting forthcoming fundraiser: Musical Chairs 2022.

Taking place on Sunday 20 November 2022 at Westminster School, London, this spectacular one-day event gives members of the public the opportunity to experience the joy of playing with a full symphony orchestra, supported by National Orchestra for All members, alumni and a team of professional tutors.

Perhaps you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to dust off that childhood viola that’s been sitting under your bed, or maybe you want to challenge yourself to learn a new instrument and perform live with an ensemble before the year is up?

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a professional musician with years of performance under your belt, it doesn’t matter – Musical Chairs is fully inclusive and welcomes people of all ages and skill levels, from all backgrounds.

Read more: Orchestras for All relaunches programmes in a bid to improve access to group music-making for young people across the UK >

First, participants will spend a day rehearsing at the venue before putting their day of learning to the ultimate test – performing two pieces live in concert to an audience.

Specially arranged for a mixed-ability ensemble, the pieces include ‘Allegro’, taken from Alice Mary Smith’s stunning Symphony in A minor, along with ‘Spoitoresa’, a traditional Romanian folk song, which has become a firm favourite with OFA’s young musicians.

However, Musical Chairs isn’t just a fun day out – it’s also held for a good cause.

Each year, participants help OFA to raise money in sponsorship, with all funds contributing towards our life-changing musical opportunities for young people who may not otherwise have had the chance to play music with others due to the daily challenges they face.

Meet our musicians >

This year, OFA’s fundraising target is £30,000 and the suggested target for participants is £300. Those getting involved will also have the option to donate to play, with a suggested donation of £300, while further information on how to make the donation as well as sheet music and welcome packs will be provided after registering.

We are also very pleased to share that every penny raised (up to £10k) from this year’s Musical Chairs will be doubled thanks to generous match funding from Harriet's Trust.

This is a true highlight in the Orchestras for All calendar – and we hope that you can join us!

Pictured: National Orchestra for All rehearse at Westminster School, supported by a team of orchestral tutors.

Musical Chairs 2022 will run on Sunday 20 November, from 10:00 until 17:00, with food and refreshments provided throughout. The live concert will commence at 16:00, followed by a drinks reception from 17:00 until 18:00.

To find out more, you can contact the OFA team via email at info@orchestrasforall.org or by phone on 020 7267 4141. If you would like to participate in Musical Chairs 2022, please complete the sign-up form below: