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

The life-changing programmes aim to break down significant barriers to music-making for young people who need it the most.

With a new season of musical activity just on the horizon, Orchestras for All (OFA) is delighted to announce that it is now recruiting young musicians and schools nationwide as it relaunches two of its core programmes: Modulo and National Orchestra for All.

Specially designed to kickstart a fun culture of inclusive music-making in maintained schools and local communities, Modulo assists under-resourced teachers and music leaders to set up or develop their own ensemble (known as a “Modulo”) of between four and 15 young people aged 11-18, before they team up to play with other groups as one epic orchestra at “Modulo Meets”.

All young people are welcome to join a Modulo regardless of their musical ability, previous experience or chosen instrument – so whether they’re tab-reading guitarists, open string players, keyboardists or simply keen to play a traditional orchestral instrument with other like-minded individuals, there’s room for everyone to thrive.

A recent Modulo participant said: “I feel more confident after this experience because I’ve played in front of a lot of people, so now I feel like I can do anything!”

Another commented: “Go to Modulo if you want to learn how to play a new instrument – but even if you already play one, it’ll still help you to build on your skills.”

Read more: Orchestras for All’s Artistic Director Emma Oliver-Trend announced as host of new webinar for music leaders >

Pictured: Young musicians from schools across the country play together during a Modulo Meet.

A Modulo teacher added: “Watching the pupils supporting each other was such a joy. Although they’re all from the same year group, they’re not necessarily from the same classes but I can see new friendships forming.”

Find out more about the Modulo Programme >

Meanwhile, the charity’s non-auditioned, inclusive national youth orchestra, National Orchestra for All (NOFA), is open to 100 young musicians aged 11-19 who face significant barriers in their daily lives – whether that’s due to physical disability, a mental health condition, rural isolation or economic deprivation.

NOFA harnesses the orchestra as a catalyst for social change, offering transformative experiences that build a young person’s social and communication skills, while also boosting their confidence and introducing them to diverse new communities.

For both NOFA and Modulo, repertoire is carefully selected to represent the season’s theme, with last year’s ‘The Way We See It’ represented by Britten’s iconic ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’, an uplifting musical crossover written by Jack McNeill celebrating club culture, an infectiously catchy arrangement of a Romanian folk tune and a beautiful symphonic poem from Alice Mary Smith. For this next season’s theme, OFA’s repertoire celebrates music and change, along with an exclusive new piece written by members of NOFA.

National Orchestra for All (NOFA) members play the melodica at their 2022 summer residential.

During NOFA’s spring 2022 residential, NOFA oboeist, Lily, said: “I love all the different music we play – I wouldn’t perform this type of music in my orchestra back home, so it’s nice to have that balance between classical music and dance music like ‘Crossfade’ and ‘Spoitoresa’. It’s great to have the variety.

“Being part of NOFA has also helped me to develop as a musician – the music we’re learning takes you out of your comfort zone but not to the point of breaking you, so it’s good to have that little push.”

Meet NOFA’s inspiring musicians >

Seventeen-year-old keyboardist Troy commented: “In secondary school, I didn’t have much going for me and didn’t have many opportunities, but then my teacher found NOFA and suggested that I should apply.

“I’m so happy that I did – it’s amazing and has made my life much more interesting! I can brag about being in an orchestra to my friends but it’s also really fun as there’s loads of activities happening and more opportunities to perform and connect with other people as well.”

NOFA musicians and ambassadors enjoy an evening of games and activities at their spring 2022 residential.

Polly, parent to keen NOFA trumpeter, Cameron, added: “The work OFA does is amazing and there is no other setting where Cameron feels as happy, included and valued as with the NOFA family. Thank you so much for everything your team do to give Cam a place to belong, just the way he is and for bringing out the very best in him.”

Orchestras for All would like to take this opportunity to thank its loyal funders, individual donors and advocates for their ongoing support towards NOFA and the Modulo Programme.

Are you a maintained secondary school with limited access to music-making, or perhaps you’re looking for inspirational events for your students to participate in? Find out more about Modulo and sign up here.

Are you a musician aged 11-16 facing daily barriers, who wants to experience the magic of playing in an inclusive orchestra? Learn more about National Orchestra for All here.

Modulo resumes live events as music teachers and students join classrooms nationwide in ‘joyful’ music-making programme

Whether you’re looking to kickstart a culture of music-making or develop an existing ensemble, the Modulo Programme has you covered.

With the 2021-22 academic year now in full swing, Orchestras for All returns with an exciting new season of its Modulo Programme in a bid to improve access to music-making for young people in the UK.

After almost two years of unprecedented challenges faced by music teachers and their pupils as a direct result of the pandemic, the inspiring initiative has been specially designed to support under-resourced schools and community groups to set up their own inclusive orchestra, known as a ‘Modulo’.

A Modulo can be of any size, from four to 15, and is open to all skill levels and to any instrument – from violins and ukuleles, trumpets to melodicas.

Throughout the season, individual Modulos are brought together with others from across the country (either in person or online) at dynamic ‘Modulo Meets’, giving participants the opportunity to experience the magic of playing in a large-scale ensemble.

These memorable events, along with the provision of weekly resources, have led to the creation of 14 new orchestras over the past year – all with diversity and inclusivity at their core.

Sharing their experience of the Modulo Programme, a recent young participant said: “Thanks all of you – this is one of the best days I’ve ever had!”

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

Young people from across the country team up to make music together during a national Modulo Meet

Another student added: “The masterclass was a really worthwhile experience. The session was led by professional musicians who all gave us advice about having a musical career as well as helping us improve our band’s pieces. The exercises and warmups I played on the drums were really fun too!”

Despite government guidance around social distancing, bubbles and the termination of instrumental lessons, the Modulo Programme has reached 43 schools over the past year and engaged with 323 students – from Bradford to Aylesbury, Gravesend to Liverpool.

Now, participating schools will be gathering for Modulo’s regional meets at the Midlands Arts Centre (8 March), London’s Cecil Sharp House (14-15 March) and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (25 March), before joining forces at The Royal Academy of Music in July to play as one epic orchestra.

Find out more about the Modulo Programme >

Claire, a music teacher at Heworth Grange School in Gateshead, said: “It has been so hard with all the restrictions, so finally getting to do a proper rehearsal was brilliant – the pupils loved it! I can’t believe how well they did with their instruments.

“The wind players had all managed six new notes by the end of the day. Watching the pupils supporting each other was a joy. Although they’re all from the same year group, they’re not necessarily from the same classes but I can already see new friendships forming and they have the ‘status’ of being part of the Modulo Orchestra. This is known by their peers and they’re proud of it!”

In previous years, Modulo participants have been joined by National Orchestra for All composer, Jack McNeill, and visual artist, Bryony Simcox, who led a series of creative activities that later inspired the production of ‘Modulo Rondeau’, an interactive artwork based on sounds and drawings made by the young people.

Meanwhile, repertoire for the 2021-22 season, titled ‘The Way We See It’, includes ‘Spoitoresa’ – an arrangement of a Balkan gypsy dance performed by Bucharest-based band, Mahala Rai Banda, Purcell’s ‘Rondo’ from Abdelazar Suite (made famous as the theme to Britten’s ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’), excerpts from the fourth movement of Alice Mary Smith’s Symphony in A minor as well as ‘Crossfade’ by Jack McNeill, a recent commission exploring electronic dance music and the orchestra.

Read more: Over 100 school pupils nationwide team up online for epic day of music-making >

A team of professional musicians from Orchestras for All’s partners – BBC Philharmonic and City of London Sinfonia – will also be on hand once again to provide their expert insights and motivate the next generation of flautists, string players and those with less traditional instruments, such as the ukulele or harmonica.

‘Modulo Rondeau’, an interactive artwork inspired by the sounds and drawings made by Modulo participants

To further encourage creativity, participating students will be offered a music-making resource that allows them to remix their own backing track.

Sharing a few final thoughts on her personal experience of the Modulo Programme, Claire said: “All the pupils were inspired in our second rehearsal to develop their note playing, showing much more resilience than I was expecting and have witnessed in beginner instrumentalists before.

“I think it really helped them to see such a wide range of experience in the other schools. The Modulo Programme is brilliant and I’m already petitioning my Head for us to make it a regular part of our school – maybe even having Modulo groups in different year groups!”

On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, thank you to Scops Arts Trust, The Rayne Foundation, 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust and our loyal donors and supporters for their ongoing support towards the Modulo Programme – together, we can continue to break down barriers to music-making for our young people.

Learn more about the Modulo Programme >