‘If you have ADHD, don’t try to fit the neurotypical mould – work with yourself instead,’ says National Orchestra for All ambassador, Phoebe

“Find unique ways to make you a happier version of yourself.”

In the UK, an estimated 2.6 million people have ADHD – with 1.9 million of those being young people, giving a childhood incidence rate of five per cent.

Also known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults worldwide and is typically associated with lack of focus, impulsivity and hyperactivity. There is no one cause; it is considered to be the result of both environmental and genetic factors, with the latter being around 70-80 per cent responsible.

An individual can present with one of three types of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or combined. Since it exists on a spectrum, everyone’s ADHD brain is different and so some people may require more support than others.

Despite the daily challenges people with ADHD often face, they are also creative problem solvers who thrive on variety and innovation as well as being capable of deep focus on tasks or hobbies that interest them. Famous musicians with ADHD, or thought to have had ADHD, include ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ composer, George Gershwin, pop singer-songwriter, Lily Allen, The Beatles star, John Lennon, and panel judge for The Voice UK, Will.i.am, to name but a few.

At Orchestras for All, we celebrate each and every one of the young people in our diverse, music-making family – this means championing members with ADHD as well as those who may be living with a physical disability, learning difficulty or other mental health condition. With ADHD Awareness Month celebrated nationwide this October, we caught up with National Orchestra for All (NOFA) ambassador and flautist, Phoebe, who has ADHD, to find out more.

Read more: 7 ways to support autistic musicians in your youth orchestra >

Phoebe (pictured left) supports the woodwind section at National Orchestra for All’s summer concert

Tell us what having ADHD means for you.

For me, having ADHD means that my brain just works a bit differently to other people’s and I experience the world in a slightly different way. I was diagnosed at 17 and it felt amazing to have an answer for why I was always a bit too loud and could never make myself finish schoolwork or any other tasks, even if I knew it was very important and needed to be done.

It also helped stop me from feeling like I was “lazy” or “didn’t try hard enough” – instead I could be a bit kinder to myself and start working with my ADHD brain, instead of trying to treat it like a neurotypical one and struggling.

Read more: 5 of the best ways to protect your wellbeing >

How does it feel to be part of the inclusive National Orchestra for All (NOFA) family?

It feels absolutely amazing! My favourite thing about it is that even though I’m now an adult and staff member, the fact I may need a quiet space to chill out in during rehearsals or other events, or the fact that I can sometimes feel overwhelmed, is still recognised. I feel just as supported now by the team of orchestral and wellbeing tutors as when I was performing with NOFA (the UK’s only inclusive, non-auditioned national youth orchestra) as a young person.

I’ve been involved with NOFA for around six years – first as a flautist and now as an ambassador – and it’s been so special to watch so many young people learn and flourish. I just love to hear all their stories of what they’ve achieved both within and outside of the orchestra because they feel more confident and valued as a result of the incredible work we do.

Discover Orchestras for All’s three life-changing programmes >

“People with ADHD have things called “hyperfixations”, or special interests,” explains Phoebe.

What daily challenges have you faced?

My biggest struggles have definitely been organisation, motivation and emotional regulation. Organisation is very difficult for me as my brain thinks everything is very important, so I’ll spend as much time worrying about whether I need milk as I would completing schoolwork!

I also find it very difficult to start tasks that I don’t think are exciting enough, or mean I have to concentrate for a long time, which means I also push off things like schoolwork. One tip to work on this was to write “To-do” lists, however I usually think of more and more tasks to do until I end up with a long, overwhelming list that I don’t even want to start.

Read more: How Orchestras for All supports young people facing daily challenges >

Have you received any support to help with your ADHD?

I was very lucky to work with a lifestyle coach that focuses on people with ADHD, which gave me strategies like using a whiteboard or chalkboard to track my tasks, so I can see everything in front of me and it doesn’t suddenly become that long, overwhelming list. I can split it up into different days and move it around if I’m having a bad day.

I also struggle with sensory stimulation, especially noises, which is a bit ironic considering I study music! I use noise-cancelling headphones that I keep on my keys – they are quite small and subtle and mean that while I can still hear people speaking to me, they take the edge off loud noises that might upset me and allows me to keep doing the things I love!

At OFA, we believe that having ADHD is also your superpower! Do you have any hobbies that you feel are encouraged by your ADHD?

For me, ADHD means that I really love crafting! I like doing physical things like crochet, embroidery, sewing and whichever other interest I might have at the moment. People with ADHD have things called “hyperfixations”, which is basically a special interest that completely takes over our brain for a while.

These can last for days, weeks or months and can make it really difficult to think about anything else, which can be both a blessing and a curse! I’ve managed to make a whole cosplay prop in a night before just by hyperfocusing on it, but I also have a lot of other projects I’ve lost interest in – and promise myself I’ll get back to them one day! 

If you could share one message with others about ADHD, what would it be?

If I had to pick one thing, it would be this: if you have ADHD, don’t try and fit yourself into the neurotypical mould. Work with yourself instead! If you need an orange scrunchie to play with just to be able to do your schoolwork or practice your musical instrument, go for it!

Don’t try to change how your brain works – instead, find unique ways to make you a happier version of yourself rather than what other people might want you to be.

To support other young musicians with ADHD like Phoebe, please donate today >

If you’re aged 11-16 and keen to join National Orchestra for All, please visit our programmes page for full details >

Please note: National Orchestra for All applications close at 10am on 7 November 2022.

For further information about ADHD, or if you have ADHD and would like to find the right support, the NHS and ADHD UK websites share useful resources.

Teenage flautist quizzes Orchestras for All founder as charity celebrates 10-year milestone

“The youth voice has always been fundamental and important – we adults have just taken far too long to sit up and recognise that.”

Orchestras for All (OFA) has been on quite the journey since its inception almost a decade ago, where it first revealed its mission to kickstart a vibrant new culture of inclusive music-making in the UK.

Fast forward to 2021 and the charity proudly supports thousands of aspiring young musicians and music educators through its three powerful programmes: National Orchestra for All (NOFA), Modulo and Music Leadership Training.

To mark this new milestone in the charity’s 10-year history, NOFA ambassador, Phoebe, shared a virtual tea break with its Founding Director, Marianna Hay MBE, to reflect on what has been achieved so far and what the future holds.

Describing her experience as a former NOFA flautist (watch video above), Phoebe said: “There’s no doubt that it’s such a successful programme. It’s been really nice because I’ve [grown up with] the orchestra, first playing as a 15-year-old and now I’m on the other side [as an ambassador]. It was really nice to meet people – where you came from mattered but it also didn’t matter.

“[In NOFA], you hear all these different accents but when you play the music, you’re all just part of the orchestra. Now we’ve got people flying in from [Northern] Ireland and Wales, all coming together – it’s honestly so amazing!”

Read more: ‘National Orchestra for All is so diverse – but we’re united by a note,’ says 19-year-old trumpeter >

Pictured: National Orchestra for All Ambassador, Phoebe (left), and OFA founder, Marianna Hay MBE (right)

In NOFA’s current cohort of 100 diverse young members, 98 per cent faced cultural barriers before joining, 55 per cent were unable to play in an orchestra due to autism, a physical disability, learning difference, or social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, and 37 per cent come from underrepresented groups.

And with hundreds of school pupils teaming up for Modulo each year and a growing network of MLT participants – who have regularly gathered together online despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic – there’s certainly much to be proud of at OFA.

Read more: RPS Awards 2021: Orchestras for All shortlisted in ‘Impact’ category >

Sharing her inspiration behind the musical initiative, Marianna explained: “First and foremost, it was the young people that I had been teaching in a secondary school in London. I was inspired by the extraordinary commitment of the students, many of whom didn’t have much support back at home or in other parts of their life.

“They’d come to the music block every day during breaks and lunch times, form friendship groups out of it, and their love of it was so authentic and real – despite the fact they hadn’t had much support or experience.”

She continued: “Another inspiring person in the journey of OFA was the head teacher of the school where I’d worked, Truda White, who promoted the idea that music could be socially transformative for young people. It felt as though there was a glaringly obvious gap for a national orchestra in this country that could be accessed by people of any musical ability, where cost was not an issue, where they didn’t have to audition, and where it was a truly welcoming and inclusive experience.

National Orchestra for All (NOFA) members gather online to make music together during the pandemic

While founding Orchestras for All may have somewhat fulfilled Marianna’s vision for improving access to music-making, the Scotland-based mother of two admits there is still much to be done.

Sharing her hopes for the future of the charity, Marianna said: “Orchestras for All will be a totally leading light in what it means to combine wellbeing with creative endeavour, and the Modulo Programme has the potential to be in every region across the country. Ultimately though, we’re fulfilling a need here, so should the charity even need to exist in 10 years’ time?”

But for Phoebe, who faces daily challenges living with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and had previously experienced barriers to orchestral participation, there’s an alternative: “I would like to think (just because I’ve enjoyed it so much) that rather than OFA not existing, we’d shift our views to the experience of people coming together when the focus isn’t on the problem of equal access to music.”

With youth voice at the heart of Orchestras for All’s 2021-2026 five-year strategy, Phoebe’s thoughts have never been more influential and are shared by many other young musicians across the charity – including its inspiring trustees, Young Leaders and recently recruited youth board.

Marianna said: “The youth voice has always been fundamental and important – we adults have just taken far too long to sit up and recognise that.”

To give the gift of music to young musicians like Phoebe, please donate today >

‘Don’t put yourself down’: 18-year-old flautist shares her advice with aspiring young musicians

Meet 18-year-old Phoebe from Manchester. The self-confessed musical theatre fan first joined the National Orchestra for All family as a flautist and is now a trusted ambassador. Here’s everything you need to know…

When did you first become interested in music?

My parents have the belief that everyone should play an instrument, so when I was in Year 3 they started me on the flute and I’ve just carried on ever since!

I also play a bit of guitar, a bit of ukulele, I play a bit of everything. (I'm one of those people!) But honestly, my main thing is singing. It’s one of those where I would just pick something up and kind of figure it out – I’m a Jack of all trades, master of none!

What music have you been listening to in lockdown?

I'm doing a joint honours in Music and Musical Theatre at [Chichester] university, so I've mostly been listening to musicals – a lot of Six, Heathers, Wicked... that’s more my ballpark. I'm very excited about everything coming back to the West End and theatres opening again! It’s so raw and you never get the same thing twice. You've got the set text and the set notes, but each performer does something completely different with it from night to night.

Read more: ‘Coming from a working class family, classical music seemed so inaccessible’, says teenage clarinetist >

“If it wasn’t for National Orchestra for All, I wouldn’t have done music at university,” explains Phoebe

It’s been so different just singing in my room, or just to my teacher online – it's been quite challenging indeed! I've got a very different experience than other people because I go to a very small university. It’s actually a conservatoire, so the conservatoire itself is quite small. We’ve been [learning] in person for a large part. It’s very interesting trying to do ballet with a mask on...

We do a core of musical theatre, so I study three types of dance a week, style and genre, contextual modules, music theory and a class in professional resilience, which is all about taking care of your mind and body. ‘Cause it’s quite a harsh industry, we also do an hour of yoga every week, which is nice!

Tell us about your journey with Orchestras for All.

I joined Orchestras for All when I was in Year 9, so I was about 14 years old – and I can honestly say that I don't think I would have gone down the route I have in doing performing arts at A Level and going on to do music at university if I hadn't had that experience of travelling the country in a large youth ensemble. I genuinely don't think I would have ended up going down the path I'm on now.

Flautist Phoebe (pictured top right) supports the National Orchestra for All

What’s the best thing about playing in an orchestra?

It’s just hearing all the different parts! You'll be sat there in the middle of the orchestra and hear the brass on one side with all their individual parts and the strings on the other. You’ll sit there knowing the music and thinking, ‘Oh, they’ve got a little twiddly bit coming up!’ and hear every individual person coming together into something big – it’s just really amazing to be a part of.

Discover more on National Orchestra for All >

I started off playing in smaller ensembles at school. It was very much the Wallace and Gromit theme tune, playing backing for carols at Christmas concerts – quite generic things, whereas at Orchestras for All we’ve played Jewish folk music, Romanian folk music and classical pieces like Swan Lake. We also performed pieces from operas and musical theatre pieces – which excited me a lot because I then went on to have to sing one of the pieces we’d played and I thought, ‘I know the tune to this, I’ve played it!’.

If you could give one piece of advice to other young people who are considering joining an orchestra, what would it be?

I think it would be: don't put yourself down. I know when it comes to my playing, sometimes I get quite nervous if I can just hear me. I’ll be there going, ‘Oh, I’m making all these mistakes! Oh, I can’t quite hit that note!’ – but in your collective part, chances are the person next to you might be able to do that bit, so you've got someone to cover you a bit.

There might be a part they’re struggling with that you’re really confident with. It’s all a bit of give and take, so even if you personally feel like you might not be good enough and you've got all these doubts in your head, I’d say just go for it! There’s no other way to really gain that confidence other than to just get out there and do everything!

‘I don’t think I would have gone down the path I’m on now if I hadn’t joined Orchestras for All’, says young musician Phoebe

Orchestras for All is…

Fun, family and exciting! I feel like people should join and support the cause because there’s no other way to do it really. I come from quite an impoverished area and if it wasn’t for being able to go out and gain confidence and travelling around different parts of the country then I wouldn’t have been able to go to university to study music.

I’d probably still be sat at home in my room, in my town – rather than travelling across the country to study what I love. I feel like people should support Orchestras for All, so that more young people like me get that opportunity and that confidence to really go and do what they love.

Even if playing in an orchestra isn’t your bag or your cup of tea, like it’s something you’ve never really done before or thought about (I trained as a solo singer first and [perform in] musical theatre style – nothing like Romanian folk music!), it’s just such a different experience. Even if your interest lies anywhere else – in opera, jazz, or any other areas of music – gaining that experience by being part of something different really helps.

To help other young musicians like Phoebe do what they love best, please donate today >