What a memorable year it has been…
As we approach the end of 2024, we have been reflecting on yet another remarkable year here at Orchestras for All (OFA).
From energising live events and national tours across the country, to empowering young people through youth leadership programmes, here are some of our highlights.
Working with our trailblazing alums
Pictured: OFA’s Co-Chairs to the Board of Trustees, Joelle Sogunro (left) and Susanna Eastburn MBE (right).
Speaking about her work as an Orchestral Tutor with us, National Orchestra for All (NOFA) alum, Phoebe, told us: “Orchestras for All gives young people lifelong skills, potentially opening up career paths they never thought they’d have.”
We couldn’t agree more – and that’s why this year, we were delighted to appoint NOFA alum, Joelle Sogunro, as Co-Chair to the Board of Trustees, alongside Susanna Eastburn MBE, building on the success of our previous Co-Chair and NOFA alum, Beth White, last year.
Plus, Youth Leadership Coordinator, Laura Fullwood, joined us in 2024 to continue the development of our youth leadership programmes. Laura has taken over from Elen Derrett, meaning we now have two brilliant NOFA alums in our core team!
2. Empowering young leaders
OFA Ambassador, Grace, expertly hosting the NOFA summer concert at CBSO Centre, Birmingham.
At OFA, providing young people with youth leadership opportunities is an ongoing priority, so over the course of the year we worked closely with a group of 10 fantastic Ambassadors.
Our Ambassadors joined us at all live events and supported every aspect of our work, from stage management and communications, to presenting concerts and running social activities for young people – and everything in between!
OFA Ambassador and NOFA alum, Atse, said: “Being an Ambassador has been a very rewarding and valuable experience for me.”
We also collaborated with our 15 Youth Board members, who played an integral part in driving positive change within the charity - including helping us make the decision to move to Sheffield – and amplifying the voices of the young people in our programmes more than ever before.
3. Going on tour with the Modulo Programme
In 2024, we hosted eight Modulo Meets across the UK, travelling from London to Birmingham, Manchester to York. Held at leading arts venues, such as Royal Academy of Music and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, these live events brought together 500 students from 35 maintained schools and local community groups. We were also delighted to welcome our first SEND school, Billing Brook.
The Meets enabled young musicians to connect with likeminded individuals, explore their creativity and share their love of music within a safe, supportive and energising environment. In the summer, they even got to perform together to a live audience, spreading the joy of Modulo to others through stunning classical works from composer Florence Price and Stevie Wonder funk hits!
Read more: Inclusive music-making across the UK: Modulo Programme 2024 highlights >
4. Uplifting National Orchestra for All residentials
We had another successful year with our flagship programme, National Orchestra for All (NOFA). We held two four-day residentials at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, welcoming 100 young people from across the country to make music together. These joyous events were jam-packed with opportunities for new and existing NOFA members to develop their skills, build their confidence and make lifelong friends.
NOFA violinist, Freya, said: “NOFA is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you will 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.”
5. Unforgettable live performances
In August, NOFA held a completely youth-led performance at CBSO Centre in Birmingham, showcasing the extraordinary dedication and inspiring stories of our young people. From mesmerising solo performances to energising video game soundtracks and a NOFA original composition, it was a concert we will never forget.
A group of NOFA musicians also took to the stage at Same Difference festival in Wolverhampton, blowing away festival goers with their infectious energy and demonstrating the transformative power of inclusive ensembles.
6. Relocating to Sheffield
The OFA team enjoy a tour of the charity’s future home, Canada House, in Sheffield city centre.
Following a rigorous selection process that welcomed suggestions from our team as well as our wider community, 2024 was the year we relocated our office headquarters to Canada House in the bustling city of Sheffield.
Read more: Orchestras for All announces its headquarters relocation to Sheffield >
Through our close partnerships with Sheffield Music Hub, Sheffield Music Academy and Harmony Works, we are excited to be supporting the city’s vision to provide inclusive group music-making opportunities for all young people and local schools.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cecil Sharp House for being OFA’s home for over a decade. We’ll be taking away special memories from our live activity here and look forward to supporting your work going forward.
7. Shaping the future of our charity
Making a difference: The Orchestras for All team meet with Trustees and the Youth Board for an Away Day.
Last month, we brought together OFA’s core team, trustees and Youth Board members for a thought-provoking away day at Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Packed with creative planning and exciting discussions about our future, we shared ideas aplenty and ensured that every voice in our community was represented and heard throughout.
During our visit, we even got to visit our beautiful new home, Canada House, and hear the inside scoop about its forthcoming development plans from architect, Emily Pieters (see image above) – watch this space!
8. Making a difference through fundraising
NOFA members enjoy a break from rehearsals during their summer 2024 residential at CBSO Centre.
In 2024, we ran not one, but two successful Big Give campaigns, raising over £44,000! Young people were at the forefront of both campaigns, sharing their personal stories and showcasing the impact of our charity’s work.
These vital funds will help our charity continue breaking down significant barriers to music education for young people in the UK who need us the most and expand our reach in 2025. Thank you so much to everyone who donated and supported our campaigns – we really couldn’t have done it without you.
9. An exciting new partnership with Hakluyt
This season, we announced a groundbreaking new partnership with global strategic advisory firm, Hakluyt. Its generous financial support and shared expertise from its team will further enable us to fulfil our charity’s powerful mission.
Together, we can increase access to musical opportunities for young musicians – regardless of their background or personal circumstances, through our three inclusive programmes.
10. Multiple award wins
In 2024, we were thrilled to win Youth Initiative of the Year at the Music Mark Awards! We received this accolade in recognition of OFA’s sector-leading youth leadership programmes and would like to thank Music Mark for believing in our charity’s work.
We were also delighted to take home a Bronze award at the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2024, celebrating our video of National Orchestra for All enjoying a dynamic live workshop with composer and multi-instrumentalist, Joe Broughton, in which they co-created a powerful new piece, ‘Strength in Numbers’.
11. Advocacy in action
NOFA alum and Trustee, Beth (right), takes to the stage at a national conference.
With NOFA alums speaking at national conferences, including the Association of British Orchestras annual conference in Bristol and the Music and Drama Education Expo in London, our advocacy efforts were stronger than ever.
Plus, our Fundraising and Communications Coordinator (and NOFA alum), Elen, was invited to spend a week with Superar – a music education organisation based in Vienna, giving her the opportunity to share OFA’s work at an international level as well as learn from others who share our values.
Read more: Music-making across borders: A memorable week in Vienna with Superar >
As we wrap up another memorable year, we want to thank our wonderful community of funders, individual donors, partners, supporters, colleagues and of course, the inspiring young musicians who define our programmes.
Your belief in the power of group music-making has made this a phenomenal time for our charity and we can’t wait to build upon all that we have achieved.
On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, we hope you enjoy the festive period, have a restful break and we look forward to seeing you again in 2025 for more barrier-smashing activity!
Keen to support our work next year? Please consider donating what you can:
