Join Orchestras for All in the Big Give Christmas Challenge! 🎄

Help us transform young musicians’ lives, one donation at a time…

This winter, we’re delighted to announce that Orchestras for All (OFA) is participating in the Big Give Christmas Challenge!

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a difference as from 3-10 December 2024, any donations you make to our charity will be DOUBLED thanks to match funding.

This means that every pound you give will go twice as far in helping us to provide life-changing musical experiences for young people across the UK.

National Orchestra for All (NOFA) alum, Cameron, said: “OFA is the most inclusive organisation you can get and I feel so included being a part of it.”

NOFA percussionist and Youth Board member, Hayden, added: “I love Orchestras for All because it allows young people to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

Read more: Over the moon: Orchestras for All wins Youth Initiative of the Year at the Music Mark Awards 2024! >

Pictured: National Orchestra for All members take to the stage at CBSO Centre in Birmingham.

Why we’re supporting young musicians

In the UK, not all young people have equal access to music-making. Financial, logistical, geographical, personal and cultural barriers often prevent many from participating in group ensemble opportunities – and we’re determined to change this.

With increasing cuts to music education, falling teacher numbers and reducing family funds for extracurricular activities, fewer disadvantaged young people can access music education. Meanwhile, with more young people experiencing isolation, disrupted education, and mental and physical health challenges each year, the need for inclusive music opportunities has never been greater.

Our solution

At OFA, we run inclusive, accessible youth orchestras that welcome young people of all backgrounds, no matter their circumstances. This includes National Orchestra for All (NOFA), the most accessible and inclusive youth orchestra in the UK, bringing together 100 inspiring young people who face barriers to group music-making.

NOFA residentials welcome and empower young people most in need: those from isolated, marginalised or deprived communities and those living with physical or mental health conditions, learning difficulties or within the care system – challenges that mean traditional ensemble music-making opportunities are not accessible to them.

A group of National Orchestra for All saxophonists perform to a live audience at their summer concert.

Our free of charge, non-auditioned programme removes all obstacles to participation, covering the cost of transport, accommodation and meals. We also offer musical arrangements that cater to all instruments and abilities, and bespoke wellbeing support to prioritise the emotional needs of each NOFA member, fostering a safe environment in which they can thrive.

NOFA member, Erin, said: “NOFA has allowed me to grow and mature as a person, and I don’t think I would be who I am today without it.”

Our impact

The transformative power of orchestral music-making is at the heart of everything we do. Through our inclusive programmes, young people will:

• Build their musical skills within a supportive, high-quality, national ensemble.

• Develop personal and social skills, including increased confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, discipline and responsibility.

• Create lasting friendships and integrate with others from different backgrounds across the UK, reducing feelings of isolation and improving mental health.

• Fulfil their aspirations, leading to brighter futures in further education and careers.

Over the past two year-season, we’ve made some incredible memories with our brilliant young NOFA members that will no doubt last us a lifetime – and we’re just getting started.

How you can help

This year, we’re aiming to raise £25,000 through the Big Give Christmas Challenge, which will fund transport, meals, accommodation, wellbeing support and music-making activities for 25 vulnerable young people at our spring residential in April 2025.

Here’s how you can get involved and support our campaign:

• Donate between 3-10 December: Every pound you give will be matched, doubling your impact.

• Share our campaign: Help us spread the word on social media using the hashtags #ChristmasChallenge and #GivingTuesday.

• Follow us here for campaign updates:

  • Facebook and Instagram: @orchestrasforall

  • LinkedIn: @national-orchestra-for-all

A musical summer: National Orchestra for All musicians feel the excitement before their live performance.

Thank you for making a difference

We want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported OFA over the years. Your generosity enables us to continue our vital work, breaking down barriers and creating equal opportunities for all young musicians. We would also like to thank our partner and global strategic advisory firm, Hakluyt, for enabling us to participate in this fantastic campaign.

This festive season, help us make an even bigger difference by donating during our #ChristmasChallenge campaign. Let’s make music more accessible, one donation at a time!

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Watch young people facing barriers to music-making share moving words in powerful new video

“When I joined the orchestra, it was like a dream come true. It was like everything had been solved.”

Orchestras for All (OFA) has released a heartwarming new video in a bid to improve access to group music-making for young people in the UK.

Shared via YouTube, the four-minute clip (watch above) tells the inspiring stories of nine National Orchestra for All (NOFA) musicians who had previously struggled to access musical opportunities owing to the significant daily challenges in their lives – including economic deprivation, physical and mental health conditions, emotional, social and behavioural difficulties, being in care and acting as a young carer.

NOFA alumnus and trumpet player, Caleb, said: “Before joining the orchestra, I was timid. I lacked in confidence and self-esteem.”

Young violinist, Grace, commented: “Because I've got autism and other special needs, a lot of things I had auditioned for didn't let me in.”

Current NOFA member, Cameron, added: “Before I joined the orchestra, I was struggling and home-schooled. No schools would really take me in – I had no music clubs to go to.”

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

“Before joining the orchestra, I was timid. I lacked in confidence and self-esteem,” said NOFA alumnus, Caleb.

And they are not alone, with thousands of other young people across the country currently unable to access ensemble music-making owing to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing cuts to music funding in maintained schools.

Upon joining NOFA – one of OFA’s three powerful programmes and the only completely inclusive national youth orchestra in the country – Caleb, Grace and Cameron were able to leave their worries at the door and experience the many benefits that come with playing in an 100-strong ensemble, from forging lifelong friendships to improved social and communication skills.

Caleb said: “After joining the orchestra, I felt liberated. I feel full of confidence; I feel powerful.”

Grace added: “I realised that it’s okay to struggle because everyone has their own struggles and people will be very supportive of that.”

NOFA members enjoy a moment of music and togetherness online during the coronavirus pandemic

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

And for Cameron, having access to new musical opportunities meant everything. He said: “When I joined, it was like a dream come true. It was like everything had been solved; I could be a bit happier and my mum could be happier as well.”

The touching video forms part of OFA’s winter campaign, Music Changes Lives, which aims to spread awareness of common barriers to orchestral participation and encourage donations to the charity – each to be doubled on Giving Tuesday (30 November) and throughout the month of December, thanks to generous match funding from Harriet’s Trust.

This means a £10, £20 or £50 donation would see a total of £20, £40 or £100 go directly towards supporting young musicians most in need, helping OFA reach its fundraising target of £20,000.

National Orchestra for All (NOFA) musicians, Tashan (left) and Caleb (right), share their inspiring stories

The campaign comes as OFA reaches its 10-year milestone of life-changing work: 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 in the professional orchestral sector.

Read more: Music teachers and students invited to join classrooms nationwide in ‘joyful’ music-making programme >

While there is still much to be done across the arts sector, with hundreds of school pupils teaming up for OFA’s Modulo Programme each year and a growing network of Music Leadership Training participants, there are plenty of reasons to feel hopeful.

“You put all your energy into playing and it feels like you’re part of a big family,” says NOFA alumnus, Siana

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If Music Changes Lives has tugged a heartstring and you would like to help our charity amplify its mission, inspire positive change and provide regular support to aspiring young musicians across the country, you can support us in the following three ways:

1. Please donate what you can

Every donation made – no matter how big or small – will bring us one step closer towards making music education accessible to all. Please also consider becoming one of our regular donors, funding our three powerful programmes through monthly donations.

2. Share our video with your network

Click the button below to access the link for our Music Changes Lives video and share it far and wide with friends, family and colleagues to spread the word about our life-changing work.

3. Subscribe to our newsletter

Join the conversation and stay in the loop with all the latest news from our charity, updates from across the sector and inspiring stories from our young people.

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