Orchestras for All seeks new headquarters – join the search!

As Orchestras for All (OFA) continues to expand and develop its reach and impact across the UK, the charity finds itself in an exciting new phase of growth and development.

We are now on the lookout for new headquarters that will provide much more to us than just office space; our new location could also be a hub for forging new partnerships, nurturing existing relationships and fostering creativity within the sectors of music education, mental health and wellbeing, youth leadership and engagement.

We invite you, our incredible network of supporters and followers, to join us on our search by sharing your expert insights and recommendations for where our new headquarters could be based.

A Modulo participant expertly conducting their ensemble

What are we looking for?

Our vision is a country where all young people have access to the joy and benefits of orchestral music making, regardless of the daily challenges they might be facing.

By relocating to a vibrant location that takes OFA’s strategy into consideration, we aim to amplify our charity’s impact, celebrate being truly national and strengthen our connections within the sectors we are so deeply passionate about.

We have now embraced a hybrid model of working and are based all across the UK, so our new headquarters will not merely offer us a physical space, it will also provide us with the opportunity to collaborate and innovate.

We are envisioning an area of the country where like-minded organisations and individuals can come together to share ideas, knowledge and resources. It should be a dynamic space, where music educators, mental health and wellbeing advocates, youth leaders and artists alike can join forces to create a positive ripple effect across the UK.

Anthony and the powerful National Orchestra for All (NOFA) trumpet section

We need your help!

We believe that the best suggestions often come from the participants of our programmes and the supporters who believe in our cause. Whether you’re a young person, teacher or tutor working with OFA, or someone who values the impact of music on young lives, your input is truly invaluable to us.

• Can you suggest a city or town that is well-known for its vibrant arts scene and/or commitment to young people?

• Is there a region in which the passion for music and wellbeing of young people seamlessly unite?

• Perhaps you have a personal connection to a place or organisation that you feel we should be teaming up with, to ensure our vision and mission become a reality?

We hope this callout will result in an exciting list of locations and partners that we can explore for our relocation, or give us food for thought about how we might engage with other brilliant organisations.

Orchestras for All Artistic director and conductor, Emma, leading the way with her violin

How to get involved

There are three key ways you can contribute:

1. Share your suggestions: Please complete the short questionnaire below, offering recommendations for where our new headquarters should be and explain why you think a particular place would be an ideal fit;

2. Spread the word: Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to participate. The more diverse and wide-ranging the suggestions, the better!

3. Engage in the conversation: Follow our social media updates and join the ongoing conversation about our potential new headquarters’ location. Your insights and perspectives are incredibly valuable.

Your recommendations will not only help to shape our future; they will also enable us to have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young people nationwide.

We will research each and every recommendation, assessing their potential within the topics of strategic and partnership opportunity, accessibility, financial and environmental opportunity and impact, culture and values as well as participant and audience development.

Thank you for being part of our mission – stay tuned for updates and we can't wait to see where this collaborative effort takes us! Together, we can continue to smash down the barriers to music making that so many young people face every day.

Questionnaire deadline: 12pm on Thursday 28th of September

Vulnerable young musicians supported nationwide as Orchestras for All secures new Arts Council England funding

The funds will help Orchestras for All break down significant barriers to music-making for thousands of aspiring young musicians in the UK.

Orchestras for All (OFA) is delighted to announce that it has secured vital new funding from Arts Council England (ACE) to assist the charity in continuing its life-changing work.

Also known as the National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) Transfer Programme, the generous funding supports arts organisations to ‘deliver creative and cultural activity which delivers against the Outcomes in Let’s Create, Arts Council England’s Strategy (2020-30)’.

The news comes as ACE shares its plans to invest £446 million per annum in 990 organisations (including 276 new organisations of all shapes and sizes) over the next three years, following 1,700 applications to the programme – enabling even more people to enjoy the comfort, distraction and everyday wonders afforded to local communities through creativity and culture during tough economic times and wherever they are.

As part of the programme, successful organisations must be open to moving their registered office out of London to another UK-based location by October 2024 – this will present exciting new opportunities for OFA, which has fully embraced a remote/hybrid working pattern following the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the music education sector.

Benefits of the transfer might include strengthening the charity’s national team, effective new ways of staying connected, in-person meetings in different cities, exploring deeper partnerships with music venues and regions as well as allowing team members to collaborate in a way that works best for them, taking into account accessibility, flexibility and wellbeing.

National Orchestra for All Ambassador and young carer, Isaac, said: “This is fantastic news. I’m so glad that OFA’s got the funding to improve the lives of young people – just like they did for me. Their commitment for making a space where young people can thrive both musically and socially is unique.”

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

Pictured: Young musicians from schools across the UK gather for OFA’s Modulo Programme at the RNCM

Youth Board member, Mars, added: “A big thank you to Arts Council England; NOFA has been something I’ve looked forward to year after year and thanks to this grant, I know NOFA will be able to inspire and empower a new generation of musicians.”

Over the past decade, OFA has strived to become fully national, broadening and diversifying its core team while also recruiting young musicians, maintained schools, music leaders and volunteers from across the country for its three powerful programmes.

Its inclusive, non-auditioned National Orchestra for All (NOFA) brings together 100 young musicians from across the UK who would otherwise be unable to access musical opportunities – whether that’s due to a physical disability, mental health condition, economic deprivation or rural isolation – while the charity’s Modulo and Music Leadership Training programmes equip under-resourced music leaders with the vital tools and support they need to run their own inclusive ensembles in schools and local communities.

Discover OFA’s programmes >

Former National Orchestra for All trumpeter, Kate, said: “It’s brilliant to hear that we’ve been chosen for ACE’s funding. It makes a massive difference to how we can deliver and create our programmes to those who need it most. It’s also amazing to see our wee organisation get recognised for the tireless work that we do – our young people are craicer!”

NOFA Ambassador and woodwind player, Joe, commented: “OFA will do so much with that amazing money. The Arts Council proves yet again that there will always be room for the creative industry and I’m so glad that we can go forward as part of that movement.”

OFA’s Executive Director, Nick Thorne, added: “This is a milestone moment for Orchestras for All; thank you to Arts Council England for believing in our vision to break down barriers to give all young people the life-changing experience of making music together. Thank you to every single person that has supported us on our journey so far, but special mention from me to the young people we work with who inspire me each day through their passion, energy and barrier-smashing enthusiasm towards our work.

“While we take this moment to celebrate, the journey doesn’t end here – our mission just becomes more important and support from current and new donors becomes ever more vital. Please join us as we continue to champion inclusive music-making nationwide.”

On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, we would like to thank Arts Council England for this incredible opportunity and our thoughts are with other organisations across the arts sector who will be receiving news today.

Please make a difference to a young musician’s life and donate today >