“Orchestral music-making isn’t just for the few – it’s for everyone,” says Modulo Programme Manager, Charlie

With our spring Modulo Meets just on the horizon, we caught up with Charlie to learn more… 

Hello, I’m Charlie! This is my first season as Modulo Programme Manager at Orchestras for All, so I thought I’d introduce myself and share a bit about the work I’m doing with the charity through its fantastic Modulo Programme. 

Music plays a big role in my life. Whether it’s jamming with my friends at weekends or sharing songs and stories at my local folk club, it’s more than just a creative outlet – it’s a way to bring people together and feel a sense of shared passion and belonging.  

I’ve seen firsthand how powerful music can be, whether it’s the triumph of discovering a new instrument (I’m currently learning the tin whistle – not quite there just yet though!), the excitement of live performance, or the sense of belonging and identity it can give someone.

That’s why I’m so passionate about making music accessible to all young people across the UK through my work with the Modulo Programme. 

Read more: 7 powerful benefits of inclusive music education >

Modulo is designed to break down barriers and give young people, no matter their background or ability, the chance to discover the joy of making music in an ensemble. It doesn’t matter if they’re picking up an instrument for the first time or already have some experience; everyone is welcome to join the programme and attend our energising Modulo Meets. 

Modulo Meets are our in-person events that take place at leading arts venues across the country, bringing together young people and their music leaders to learn and play within a safe and supportive space. Here they can grow, collaborate and feel empowered to become a valued part of something much bigger than themselves, all the while guided by an expert team of conductors and Orchestral Tutors. 

What makes Modulo so special to me is its focus on inclusion. By supporting underfunded schools and working with young musicians from underrepresented communities, the programme ensures that orchestral music-making isn’t just for the few – it’s for everyone.  

Read our latest impact report >

We create inclusive arrangements that cater to all kinds of instruments – including those not typically found in a traditional orchestra setting, such as guitars, drums, melodicas and saxophones. We encourage learning by ear as well as using sheet music. Young participants even have the opportunity to reverse roles with the adults and try their hand at conducting! We also care about their emotional wellbeing and have a safeguarding team joining us to keep everyone happy throughout the day. 

From exciting workshops to unforgettable performances, Modulo creates opportunities that many students might never have had otherwise. I hope these can become treasured memories as well as educational experiences, helping our young musicians to develop both musically and personally. 

For me, it’s a privilege to be part of their journey. Watching a young person light up as they hear themselves play their part together with a huge ensemble for the first time – these are the moments that drive me and make me feel proud of doing such meaningful work. 

Read more: Modulo Programme 2024 highlights >

This spring, we’re hosting Modulo in partnership with Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, The Glasshouse Centre in Gateshead, London’s Cecil Sharp House and CBSO Centre in Birmingham. We can’t wait to meet our new cohort very soon and make some epic music together. 

Thank you for reading and if you’d like to learn more about Modulo, do take a look at our brochure here or send me an email and I’d be happy to chat with you. 

In the meantime, stay tuned on our social media channels for future Modulo updates! 

Keen to support Modulo? Please donate what you can to our charity today: 

7 powerful benefits of inclusive music education

It really is a game changer...

At Orchestras for All (OFA), we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to experience the joy of music-making with others, regardless of their background, ability or personal circumstances.

We know that inclusive music education can transform young lives and as part of this, creating a friendly and open environment for our ensembles is key to ensuring that all participants are given an equal chance to thrive.

Read on as we explore seven powerful benefits of inclusive music education and why it’s essential to create safe spaces where all young people feel seen, heard and valued.

1. It builds a culture of kindness

Inclusive music education is about so much more than just creating music – it's about making sure every individual feels valued and understood. When diverse groups of young people come together, each with their own unique story and perspective, they can learn to listen, support and respect one another. These skills are essential not just in music but also in life, encouraging young people to become more compassionate and engaged members of society.

At OFA, our commitment to inclusivity and wellbeing is seen at every level of our organisation – from how our core team and freelance staff collaborate, to how we engage and work with the young people who participate in our programmes, fostering an environment of kindness and understanding for all.

2. It breaks down social barriers

One of the most powerful benefits of inclusive music education is its ability to bring together young people from different social, cultural and economic backgrounds. In a supportive, inclusive ensemble, young people can form meaningful connections over their shared love of music without the social barriers they often face in other settings. Taking an inclusive approach enables young people to build lasting friendships and it instils a sense of belonging.

Both our National Orchestra for All (NOFA) and Modulo programmes bring together hundreds of young people from across the UK with diverse backgrounds who might not have met ordinarily. By the end of each rehearsal or live event, it’s clear for us to see how our accessible activities encourage new bonds and there’s always a buzz in the room!

Read more: Celebrating music and togetherness: Read our latest Impact report >

3. It improves health and wellbeing

Did you know that playing or listening to music can lower your blood pressure? According to Harvard Medical School, a nurse-led team at Massachusetts General Hospital found that patients who listened to music for 30 minutes had lower blood pressure, slower heart rates and showed fewer signs of distress than those who hadn’t listened to music.

Plus, it’s been scientifically proven that listening to music can promote a sense of calm and lower levels of cortisol, also known as your stress hormone. If you’re a young person and struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma or grief, learning to make music with others in an inclusive setting can be a powerful tool to aid your recovery and help you cope in difficult times.

4. It celebrates diversity

Inclusive music education is all about embracing what makes each of us unique. Every young musician can bring something special to an ensemble, whether that's a different way of thinking and learning, or showing their peers a new way to express themselves. In an inclusive setting, there are no “right” or “wrongs”, empowering young musicians to speak up, share their point of view and take risks without the fear of being judged.

At OFA, our repertoire is chosen in collaboration with the young people we work with, so our programmes are jam-packed with pieces of music from multiple genres, reflecting the diversity of the young people who play them.

We also embrace different methods of learning, whether that’s by ear (rather than reading from traditional scores), Braille sheet music or colour-coded visual maps as an alternative form of notation. When everyone feels welcome and valued in an ensemble, it only serves to enrich group rehearsals and makes the music played even more meaningful.

5. It boosts confidence and self-esteem

As well as improving musical ability, inclusive approaches to music education can encourage personal growth, boosting young musicians’ confidence and self-esteem, while also developing their emotional intelligence and resilience.

As young people work together to overcome challenges, they can learn to manage their emotions, express themselves effectively and support others. These skills can be applied to all areas of life, whether that’s navigating social situations and relationships, coping with stress at work and school, or taking pride in personal achievements.

At NOFA residentials, members have the opportunity to take centre stage outside of full orchestra rehearsals and perform a piece of their choice in our famed recital evening, regardless of their skill level. This has become a true NOFA highlight, celebrating each young musician’s journey and providing them with a platform to grow.

Read more: Your voice matters: share your thoughts in Orchestras for All’s new brand survey >

6. It creates new opportunities for young people to shine

By providing tailored support to each individual through our expert team of orchestral and wellbeing tutors, inclusive music education at OFA enables young people to build upon their strengths and make meaningful contributions outside of the rehearsal room.

For example, our inspiring NOFA alum, Christian Dews, felt empowered to write his own composition after leaving the orchestra – and we’re very pleased to share that his brilliant work now features in this season’s NOFA repertoire.

At OFA, we’re committed to creating other opportunities for inclusive youth leadership too. This includes building teams of Ambassadors (paid roles for NOFA alums), creating roles in our core team, freelance team and Board of Trustees, and inviting young people to share their thoughts on our Youth Board. We want to give everyone a chance to shine and encourage our community to grow in a way that works best for them.

Read more: ‘Investing in youth leadership is crucial for shaping the future of the arts,’ says National Orchestra for All alum, Elen >

7. It improves teamwork

When it comes to music-making, collaboration is key. Every musician’s contribution is valued, whether they’re playing a stunning solo or supporting others in their instrumental section. Teamwork teaches young people how to listen, work together towards a common goal and be accepting of different ideas.

Last season, NOFA members enjoyed an inclusive workshop led by multi-instrumentalist and composer, Joe Broughton, in which they improvised to co-produce a powerful new piece of music, titled ‘Strength in Numbers’.

At OFA, we’ve witnessed firsthand the many benefits that come with inclusive music education, transforming young lives forever. Thank you to our generous funders, individual donors and supporters for continuing to champion our inclusive programmes. Let’s keep breaking down those musical barriers and set up young people for a brighter future.

Keen to support our inclusive work? Please donate what you can to our charity:

Celebrating music and togetherness: Read our latest Impact Report!

From Sounds of Change to youth leadership, here’s our year in review…

Kickstarting the New Year on a positive note, we’re delighted to share our latest Impact Report for Orchestras for All (OFA). 

At OFA, we believe in the transformative power of group music-making to change young peoples’ lives – and in our uplifting new report, we showcase our charity’s barrier-smashing work from July 2023 to June 2024.

Co-Chairs to OFA’s Board of Trustees, Susanna Eastburn MBE, Beth White and Joelle Sogunro, wrote: ‘Over the past year, Orchestras for All has made great strides in making music accessible to everyone. We’ve stayed true to our mission of inclusive music-making, with a strong focus on empowering young people to take a key role in shaping the future of music.  

“Through our programmes, we’ve created space for young people from all backgrounds to get involved, using music as a way to foster leadership and personal growth.”

Read more: 11 barrier-smashing highlights from Orchestras for All in 2024 >

Pictured (left to right): A NOFA cellist, three Modulo participants and a NOFA violinist and flautist.

As well as highlights from our three life-changing programmes, National Orchestra for All (NOFA), Modulo and Music Leadership Training (MLT), you can read our report to discover:

• Exciting charity updates – from artistic development to sustainability

• Inspiring stories and testimonies from young musicians, parents and guardians, alums and music teachers across the UK

• How we’ve strengthened OFA’s sector-leading inclusive practice

• Why youth leadership matters in music

• Our ongoing commitment to wellbeing and safeguarding

• Digital campaign highlights and ways we’ve built our diverse community

NOFA violinist and alum, Miecha (featured in the video below), summed up her experience perfectly: “It’s nice to go somewhere else independently, find yourself, meet other people from different parts of the UK and just play music together.”

While we’re taking a moment to reflect on the year’s achievements, we’re also filled with excitement for what’s to come in 2025.

Alongside introducing you to our next set of Ambassadors, Trustees and Youth Board members, we’ll be going on tour once again for Modulo and NOFA – but with a brilliant new cohort of young people and schools!

We can’t wait to welcome new and existing members to our energising live events this spring, taking place from February onwards at leading arts venues in Manchester, Gateshead, London and Birmingham.

Until then, sit back and explore our Impact Report to get a taste of all the music-making action!

Thank you to all those who were part of our journey in 2023-24 – your ongoing support makes everything we do possible.

Music-making across borders: A memorable week in Vienna with Superar

Exploring the value of youth leadership and inclusive music education in ‘the city of music’…

Hello! I am Elen, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator here at Orchestras for All (pictured middle above).

Earlier this year and during my time as Youth Leadership Coordinator, I was offered the incredible opportunity to represent Orchestras for All during a visit to Superar, a music and choir programme based in Vienna committed to providing high-quality music education to young people, regardless of their background.

It was a week filled with learning, sharing and making connections, thanks to the organisation’s wonderful staff and students as well as the rich musical culture of the city – and I’ve been keen to share this with you.

Read more: “Investing in youth leadership is crucial for shaping the future of the arts” >

Stunning scenery: Enjoying the sunshine outside the renowned Hofburg Palace.

A highlight of my trip was having the chance to share OFA’s mission and practice – those relating to its focus on youth leadership – with Superar’s staff and students, in particular.

During these discussions, I was able to delve into how we implement our youth leadership leadership initiatives, including youth-led performances or working with the Youth Board.

The staff were keen to hear about how this could be integrated into their own work, while the students were eager to ask questions and share their own experiences from their personal music-making journeys.

Plus, no visit to Vienna would have been complete without exploring its operatic heritage and I was fortunate enough to visit the Vienna State Opera to watch a rehearsal of ‘Sugar Revolution’ – a newly-created performance by CityLab.

This is the Opera’s cross-generational community theatre group, in which people of all ages are invited to develop their own piece and perform it in front of an audience.

I was amazed by how collaborative the rehearsal felt and the different ways in which they created an inclusive and empowering environment.

It was inspiring to see how opera, which is often written off as an ‘elite’ artform, could be made accessible to all,  leaving me with plenty of ideas for how we might continue to expand community outreach through music back home.

Ornate details: The beautiful architecture of Vienna State Opera.

I also had the privilege of visiting two middle schools in different parts of Vienna, where I observed Superar’s choir programme in action.

The energy in the room was contagious! The students were fully immersed in the music and it was clear they had formed a close-knit community through their choir work.

Watching the rehearsals, I was struck by how singing can break down barriers and create a shared space for expression. What stood out to me most was the variety of languages the children were singing in. From German to English and Turkish to Ukrainian (to name but a few), every song was sung in a different language and from a different genre.

The programme’s commitment to inclusivity, much like Orchestras for All’s approach to inclusivity, was admirable, and it was wonderful to witness the impact of this vital work in real-time.

Read more: OFA invites young people in the UK to participate in new season of programmes >

So many strings: My view as a cellist from within the orchestra.

To cap off my experience, I was invited to join an orchestra rehearsal, playing cello alongside Superar students. It was one thing to observe, but something else entirely to sit among the students and experience their rehearsal practices firsthand.

The dedication and focus of the young musicians was impressive, as was the warm, supportive environment fostered by their conductor and tutors.

The rehearsal felt collaborative, with plenty of space for the students to make musical decisions and even direct the orchestra. It was an excellent example of the kind of youth leadership we champion at Orchestras for All – and it was joyful to be a part of.

Vibrant surroundings: Vienna has the most colourful terraced buildings.

Overall, my week with Superar was a reminder of how much music has the power to transcend borders and bring people together. It reaffirmed the idea that music is a universal language, capable of building bridges between different cultures, experiences and communities.

It wasn’t just a chance for me to share what we do at Orchestras for All; it was also a valuable opportunity to learn from Superar’s approach to inclusive music education.

I am so grateful to Valerie, Fundraising Manager at Superar and my host for the week, and the rest of the team at Superar, for their kindness and hospitality.

I came away with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement about what can be achieved when people work together across borders to empower young musicians – and I encourage others arts organisations to give it a go too!

Keen to support our inclusive music-making programmes? Please donate what you can: