Pictured: NOFA alum, Haseeb, Executive Director, Nick, and Head of Programmes and Partnerships, Ellie.
Celebrating our commitment to breaking down musical barriers…
We are thrilled to announce that Orchestras for All (OFA) has been awarded Youth Initiative of the Year at the Music Mark Awards 2024.
Held yesterday evening (Monday 18 November), the uplifting award ceremony took place at Music Mark’s annual conference dinner and was attended by members of OFA’s core team as well as National Orchestra for All (NOFA) alum, former Youth Board member and Ambassador, Haseeb, who played a huge part in supporting our charity last season.
Sharing his personal experience with OFA, Haseeb said: “It feels like a family of people from all over the UK and not everyone is the same – there’s loads of differences between each member and it’s the fact that we can be part of something bigger together.
“It gives you a different perspective on other people’s lives as well because not everyone’s life is easy. It’s also helped with my confidence because I know that when I was young, I wasn’t very confident but after joining NOFA, I grew in confidence.”
Celebrating the work of organisations across the music education sector in five categories, championing sustainability, inclusion, youth-led initiatives, digital projects and unsung heroes, the awards were surely a night to remember for many – and certainly a significant moment in OFA’s history.
Our charity believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to experience the joy, creativity and connection that comes with orchestral music-making. Through our three inclusive programmes, NOFA, the Modulo Programme and Music Leadership Training, we’re committed to breaking down the barriers that can all too often stand between young people and life-changing musical experiences.
Sponsored by ABRSM, this award is a recognition of that vision – and proof of the positive things that happen when communities come together to empower young people.
Our programmes have a broad reach and impact on young people, placing them at the heart of our work. We provide frequent opportunities for young people to take ownership of their learning during our live activity, whether that’s trying their hand at conducting the orchestra for the first time or helping to run our events.
We have youth roles on our Board of Trustees, appointing NOFA alums Beth White and Joelle Sogunro as our first Co-Chairs, alongside Susanna Eastburn MBE. Other NOFA alums have joined OFA’s core team as Youth Leadership Coordinator and Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, which has led them to travel across Europe to collaborate with youth music organisations such as Superar. We also have a dynamic Youth Board and each season, offer paid roles to 10 NOFA alums to join us as Ambassadors.
OFA takes home an award: Music Mark’s Youth Initiative of the Year, sponsored by ABRSM.
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Music Mark for this award and for shining a light on our organisation, working together to create a brighter, more inclusive future for music education. And of course, a huge thank you also goes out to the incredible young musicians who inspire us every day with their passion and resilience. This award belongs to them.
Plus, we’d like to give a special shout-out to ABRSM, our funders, supporters and individual donors – this would not have been possible without your belief in our mission and your tireless efforts to help us achieve it.
The Music Mark Awards highlight the transformative power of music and we couldn’t be more proud to have stood alongside many worthy winners on the night as well as the two other nominees in our category, Legacy A Cappella and Gateshead and South Tyneside Music Hub.
As we celebrate this new milestone, we’re even more motivated to keep pushing boundaries, challenging norms and making orchestral music-making accessible to all. Thank you for being part of our journey and here’s to another year of breaking down barriers!
Inspired by our work? Please make a difference today and donate what you can:
