“It’s energetic and a really good experience!”
National Orchestra for All’s summer extravaganza is just on the horizon and we couldn’t be more excited to reunite with this year’s diverse new cohort – but first, we wanted to share a few highlights from the ensemble’s energising spring residential.
In April, NOFA members travelled to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire from all four corners of the UK, with many of the young musicians being introduced to returning members of the ensemble for the first time and in many cases, quickly making lifelong friends.
The inclusive event was defined by powerful sectionals, rip-roaring full orchestra rehearsals and expert one-to-one tuition for this season’s eclectic repertoire, which includes ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials, ‘Hornet’ and ‘Reflection’, taken from Christopher Larkin’s Hollow Knight video game soundtrack, the first movement of Florence Price’s stunning Symphony in E minor and a ‘Strength in Numbers’ collaboration with Birmingham-based composer and multi-instrumentalist, Joe Broughton, who runs the Conservatoire’s Folk Ensemble.
We also heard inspiring words from our ambassadors and a memorable series of performances during the recital evening (both moving and witty in equal measure). Plus, in true OFA style, there was plenty of focus on boosting wellbeing as well as fostering a happy, safe and collaborative environment, alongside opportunities for the young musicians to share their feedback and take ownership of their learning throughout.
In the words of new NOFA member, Jess: “I play the cello and this is my second day at NOFA. It’s a really good experience – it’s loud (but not too loud) and energetic. It’s a fun, friendship-building thing; you stay overnight and get to meet some really interesting people!”
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On behalf of everyone at National Orchestra for All and the OFA team, we would like to thank our individual donors for their kind generosity; without them, this life-changing programme wouldn’t be possible.
We would also like to extend this thanks to our funders – including Clore Duffield Foundation, Three Monkies Trust, Austin Hope Pilkinton Trust, D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and Wingate Foundation. In addition, National Orchestra for All’s spring residential was the first course part-funded by NPO funding from Arts Council England and the Department for Education.
We’re making great strides in improving access to music for young people nationwide – please join our movement and together, let’s continue to make a positive impact!
Keen to help us provide musical activities to young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity? Please donate what you can today:
