‘We can be a part of something bigger together’, explains teenage trombonist and youth board member

Meet Haseeb from Sheffield. The young A-Level student plays the trombone in National Orchestra for All (NOFA) and has developed newfound confidence since joining the inclusive group. He is also a member of our inspiring youth board. Here’s his story…

What’s keeping you busy at the moment?

Well I’m studying maths, physics and engineering at A-Level. I’m currently in Year 12, so I’ve just done my mock AS exams. My favourite subject is engineering!

What are your thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic?

I’m looking forward to being able to go out without having to wear a mask all the time. And I'm definitely looking forward to actual NOFA courses!

I think it’s amazing that we've been able to overcome such a barrier but at the same time I would prefer for things to go back to normal. I miss hearing the finished product in an orchestra and the combination of everyone playing together.

Read more: QUIZ: Can you match 7/11 of these musical instruments with their orchestra families? >

‘I’m not the most confident person – but I’ve gained confidence since joining NOFA’, says Haseeb

Have you picked up any new skills during lockdown?

I started driving lessons in October and I do enjoy that, so I guess you could call that a hobby! We’ve been in and out of lockdown though, so it hasn’t been very consistent…

Tell us what you love about music.

I started playing the trombone in Year 5, so I’ve stuck with it for quite a while. I don’t know – I've always enjoyed music whether it be classical or something more modern and contemporary. It’s always appealed to me.

I enjoy playing everything on my instrument but at the moment I’m just trying to improve my sight-reading and my sound.

Meet our musicians at Orchestras for All >

What’s it like being part of an inclusive group like National Orchestra for All?

It’s just something else, isn’t it? You see there are some people who are from other backgrounds, for example myself – I don't know anyone in my family who has actually played an instrument before, so I would consider myself the first person to delve into playing music.

Pictured: Trombonist Haseeb (bottom right) joins his orchestra friends for an inspiring youth board meeting

There’s also the fact that there are people with learning difficulties and disabilities. It's amazing how they have opportunities when they wouldn’t normally. 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 – and I'm not the most confident person at the moment but I have gained confidence since joining NOFA.

What advice would you give to other young musicians who are considering joining an orchestra?

Go for it, honestly! What’s the worst that can happen, really? It’s great fun and you pick up loads of new skills in the long-term.

And finally, please complete the following sentence. Orchestras for All is…

Amazing! I don’t know how else to describe it really. 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.

To fund a life-changing programme for young musicians like Haseeb, please donate today >

QUIZ: Can you match 7/11 of these musical instruments with their orchestra families?

Think you know your woodwind from your brass? Let’s find out…

From flutes and bassoons to ukuleles and electric guitars, all musical instruments are welcome at National Orchestra for All.

And during our Modulo Programme – supporting secondary school music teachers and leaders to build their own inclusive orchestra – sessions are made all the more enjoyable thanks to our inspiring young people and the diversity of their instruments.

But while you may recognise an instrument’s sweet (or mighty) sound, do you know which orchestra family it belongs to?

Grab a brew and take our quiz below to find out…

Read more: 11 ways playing music with others can boost your wellbeing >

From steampunk to life as a biochemistry student, meet National Orchestra for All ambassador Megan

Originally from West Bromwich, the first year biochemistry student at Warwick University has been playing the flute with National Orchestra for All (NOFA) for eight years and is now an ambassador for the group. Here’s their inspiring story…

How’s life as a university student?

Right now, we have a lot of organic chemistry to do. First year biochemists only really have organic chemistry to look at, so it’s a lot of mechanisms, how reactions work, that type of stuff.

It’s practically all been online because of Covid-19 – I’ve had two labs and two tutor sessions in class, but everything else has been online. It’s a bit tough but you know, you manage.

What music do you enjoy listening to in your spare time?

I’ve been listening to a weird amalgamation of steampunk and a lot of Hozier’s music as well. I’ve also been delving into soundtracks – as a kid I played a lot of the Professor Layton games, the music from there is just beautiful! There’s string pieces in there and accordion as well, it was really pretty.

Read more: ‘I’m a busy young carer – but National Orchestra for All is a place just for me,’ explains violinist >

‘National Orchestra for All breaks down the elitist barriers most professional orchestras have’, says Megan

What inspired you to play the flute?

When I first started playing [musical instruments], I started in Year 3 on the tenor horn. I was lucky enough to be one of the kids chosen to play and so from Year 3 up until Year 8, I played the horn.

I had to switch in Year 7 because of the music teachers, so I picked up the flute. I've always loved it – it was such a nice instrument to play. It was soft, you can play some really nice melodies on there and I just fell in love with it when I first started playing.

Find out more about National Orchestra for All’s musicians >

Which pieces of music do you enjoy playing on the flute?

Some of my favourite pieces are soundtracks. I remember in school we played the Pirates of the Caribbean theme; there was a really nice melody on that for the flute! I also like playing the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, there are some really pretty pieces in there.

Megan (pictured bottom right) presents their flute on Zoom during a National Orchestra for All course

Tell us about your musical journey with Orchestras for All.

Personally I joined NOFA when I was still playing the tenor horn. It was the first year and from there, I switched to the flute and it has allowed me to grow in confidence from literally a beginner to now at Grade 5. It’s been the most phenomenal [experience], the NOFA team are so caring and helped me develop massively.

Donate an instrument to a young musician like Megan >

When I left high school I didn’t actually have an instrument, so NOFA was kind enough to give me a flute (at first they gave me a piccolo but I couldn't really use that, I wasn't very good!). So they gave me a flute and that allowed me to carry on with the organisation and it was just really nice.

What’s the best part about being a NOFA musician?

Honestly, NOFA goes beyond the music for me. I’ve got so many amazing friends from doing it over the years, I’m still in contact with a lot of them now. It’s the grand sense of community that NOFA gives that can’t really be beaten by anything else.

There’s no other orchestra like NOFA. It breaks down the elitist barriers that most professional orchestras have and NOFA accepts all players of any ability, any background. It just all moulds together into one great big orchestra. I come from a fairly poor background, so if it wasn't for NOFA I wouldn’t be the person I am today and wouldn't have my friends. I’m so grateful for that and really wish that NOFA can continue on in the future and do this for so many other kids. 

It’s just always made me happy and something I’ve always, always looked forward to doing, again and again every year. Something consistent that I know is there and I’ll always enjoy it.

Find out how you can support us >

Hat-tastic: Megan (pictured top right) teams up with other National Orchestra for All ambassadors to sport their favourite hats and help new orchestra members feel more relaxed on Zoom.

What advice would you give to other young musicians who are considering joining an orchestra?

Honestly, just go for it! When I first joined NOFA, I was so nervous before I started. I thought it would be really serious and that you had to perform perfectly but it's really not!

And there’s also so many other activities that go on. My favourite is the recital evening. It’s such a laugh and you can perform whatever you want and it [creates] a massive sense of community. NOFA also plays lots of different types of music: we’ve done pieces from musicals where we’ve been backed by a whole choir, led dancers, rappers and poets, and we also have a lot of cultural music, so we’ve had Romani, Jewish and African music as well.

It’s been just great – it’s a lot of fun and I would tell anyone to do it.

And finally, complete the following sentence: Orchestras for All is...

Orchestras for All is a big family of musicians from all different places across the UK. It brings together so many people in such a delightful manner where we can perform music and have a great lot of fun.

Feeling inspired? Please support a life-changing programme for young musicians like Megan and donate today >

‘I’m a busy young carer – but National Orchestra for All is a place just for me,’ explains violinist

Meet 18-year-old Isaac from Sheffield. When he’s not at home spending time with his family, the National Orchestra for All ambassador can’t get enough of his violin (and learning the lyrics to iconic Disney movies). We caught up with him over a virtual tea break to hear his inspiring story.

How have you been spending your time in lockdown?

Well, right now I’m on a gap year. Mostly what I’ve been doing is helping out around the house and the family – my dad’s just got a new job for the first time in a while. He was long-term disabled and has chronic pain in his back, which has gotten better enough that he can work again, which is good.

He’s studying for a PGCE and my mum’s busy working as a midwife, so I’m doing the cooking for the family. It’s really good for him to be doing that – he really enjoys teaching and it gives him something to do!

Read more: 13 ways you can be kind to others in an inclusive youth orchestra >

Isaac: “I love how much expression you can get from the violin, the range and different tones of sound.”

What inspired you to play the violin?

I first picked up the violin in Year 5 because of Sheffield Music Hub – it’s a council-funded music service. They’d bring in about 30 violins into a school and taught our whole class the basics. They did that at my school and because I enjoyed it and there were a few demonstrations from other people, I then went to some lessons that they did for a while.

Read more: National Orchestra for All ambassadors share their musical favourites >

I love how much expression you can get into it – the range and different tones of sound. You can make it really beautiful and show lots of emotion through how you're doing the bowing, the ‘vibrato’ and everything. It has a lot of expression.

What music have you been listening to lately?

One song I particularly like is ‘Meditation’ – I can't remember who the composer is but that's a lovely, sweet one. Another I'm enjoying playing right now is Czárdás by Monti (the solo parts). I'm just having a go at it in my own time, when I'm not practising for my orchestras and things. 

I don't tend to pick a band and follow their albums, I collate certain songs normally – but a band I've listened to in lockdown is The Longest Johns who do sea shanties, they’re fun and good to sing along to! I’ve also been listening to the album The Green Knight by Heather Dale and songs like Suzanne Vega’s ‘The Queen & the Soldier’, I really like that one. And I've been learning how to sing ‘Hellfire’ from Hunchback of Notre Dame – that’s been fun!

National Orchestra for All ambassador and violinist Isaac (pictured middle) performs with musical friends.

Tell us about your musical journey.

Well, I’ve been with Orchestras for All for a long time. I’m 18 now and I’ve been going to National Orchestra for All (NOFA) since I was 11 – it's great! But I also think it’s helped me in different ways as I've got older. Right at the start the music lessons at my primary school stopped, so I had 20 minutes of lessons with a teacher for a little chamber orchestra of young people that I was a part of.

I think she got an email or text saying that somebody she was teaching didn’t want a place at NOFA – but then she noticed me and said, “Hey, would you like to do it?” and I was like, “Oh okay, yeah!”. That’s how I got there and it’s been great. Early on, what NOFA gave me was my first taste of large music collaboration. The only thing I’d done before that was the little chamber orchestra, so it was amazing!

Find out more about National Orchestra for All >

At first I was quite scared – it was the first time I'd been away from home for a while and the music was much faster than I’d expected. I think the first thing I got was a full rehearsal and that was a bit much and I burst into tears, but then one of the tutors took me out and I had a chance to calm down. They listened to me. And then me and another person got a third violin part and had a little time with a tutor on our own to go through it – and from then on, it was just great! 

I've met loads of great people, but I didn't really keep in touch with them outside NOFA courses until last year when a group of us got put together in the Young Leaders programme. We were organising the recital evening and made a group chat to talk about it when we were in our rooms and stuff. We've kept in touch ever since! And now we’re the new cohort of ambassadors as well, so that's been great.

Isaac presents his violin (pictured bottom left) on Zoom during a National Orchestra for All course.

How has National Orchestra for All impacted your life?

When my dad became sick with his chronic pain, my sister got glandular fever and then chronic fatigue syndrome. With my mum working a lot of the time as well, I kind of took on a bit of a young carer role and NOFA was just a place for me, you know?

Watch musicians’ plea as they urge public to break down barriers to music making >

It was people who I knew, it was my experience, and my family would come and they were really supportive. It was a place where for a bit of time each year, I did this wonderful thing with lots of people – and it was just for me.

What advice would you give to aspiring young musicians?

No matter what your technical ability is with your instrument, the most important thing is to put your energy and emotion into the piece you’re playing. In an orchestra there are lots of people, so it isn’t a bit deal if you’re out of tune or if you don't get all the notes of the run right. But if you play with the colour and the energy and get your emotions involved in the piece, that will come across. 

“If you play with the colour and energy of the piece and get your emotions involved, that will really come across,” says the young violinist.

Complete the sentence: Orchestras for All is…

Great! The thing about Orchestras for All – and what makes it really something special – is that firstly, they make a real effort to listen to the young people they're working with, to the extent that I don't see elsewhere.

It treats its young musicians with respect as well, it never condescends. I think that’s one of the things that made it so great as a young person to be involved with it – you felt really supported and respected in a way that you don’t get so much in school.

Discover 5 ways to protect your wellbeing >

Why is youth voice so important today? 

A couple of things: firstly, young people are the future. The young people that are being listened to and encouraged now, they take that with them, if you know what I mean? It makes them more confident to respect themselves and speak out about what they think is important. If people have the chance to really be listened to, I think you’ll find they are more willing to speak and act on things that they care about.

And the second thing is that young people have their own set of perspectives and experiences. They can be just as smart as adults (often in different ways, but they really are!).

To fund a life-changing programme for young musicians like Isaac, please donate today >

Watch young musicians’ plea as they urge public to break down barriers to music making

As Orchestras for All launches its spring season with a vibrant new visual identity, young musicians highlight why breaking down barriers to music making is more important than ever.

Earlier today, special guests and a team of young musicians joined Orchestras for All on Zoom for a moment of musical solidarity as we celebrate the launch of our ambitious five-year strategy.

To mark the occasion, we’re proud to unveil a bold new visual identity – designed in collaboration with our recently recruited youth board.

Although we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far – all made possible by the ongoing support of our loyal partners and donors – we understand that there is still much work to be done and especially now during the coronavirus pandemic.

Following 10 years of breaking down barriers, we share a renewed vision: a country where all young people aged 11-19 can access the joy and benefits of playing music with others, regardless of the daily challenges they may face.

Read more: 17 things you’ll only understand if you’ve played in a youth orchestra >

Pictured (left to right): National Orchestra for All ambassador Kate (trombone), current NOFA member Haseeb (trombone) and Orchestras for All Trustee, Joelle (cello).

With our exciting line-up of inclusive music making opportunities, we’re ready to redefine what an orchestra is, who it is for and the positive impact it can have, while also empowering young people and energising music educators to lead change in their schools or local communities.

As part of this, Orchestras for All’s new programme includes a special season of work for National Orchestra for All (the UK’s only completely inclusive national youth orchestra), titled ‘The Way We See It’ – a musical portrayal of equality, diversity and inclusion and with youth voice at its core.

Read more on National Orchestra for All >

For a worrying 98 per cent of National Orchestra for All (NOFA) members, cultural barriers and limited access to music making have prevented them from doing what they love the most.

Urging others to support orchestral music making (see video above), NOFA clarinetist, Joe, said: “Coming from a working class background, classical music seemed so inaccessible. It just seemed like something for the rich and wealthy. You could learn but weren’t given the opportunity to unless you had the money.”

National Orchestra for All members, tutors and ambassadors team up online for the first day of the NOFA course – complete with an epic array of musical instruments.

Many of our young musicians also face health barriers, with 55 per cent previously unable to play in an orchestra due to autism, a physical disability, learning difficulty, or social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.

But when young musicians join the National Orchestra for All, they leave their worries and responsibilities at the door. Violinist, NOFA ambassador and young carer, Isaac, said: “Being a NOFA member gave me some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. You play great music, you meet amazing people – and there’s a tonne of support, so that any problems that you have can be dealt with.”

Current NOFA member and viola player, Hannah, added: “It means a lot to me because I was able to gain my confidence and speak to new people. It encouraged me to share my ideas.”

Read more: Easter 2021 playlist: National Orchestra for All ambassadors share their musical favourites >

And despite only 1.6 per cent of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians being members of British orchestras, NOFA is now the most diverse orchestra in the UK with 37 per cent of players coming from underrepresented groups and 54 per cent also based in the lowest 3 IDACI multiple deprivation deciles.

Through a combination of our three core programmes – NOFA, Modulo (supporting teachers and schools to develop an ensemble) and Music Leadership Training (boosting the skills of music leaders and educators) – Orchestras for All is fully committed to enacting positive change over the next five years.

Thanks to our Modulo Programme, we’re pleased to share that 710 young people will have the opportunity to perform in their school in 2021 as well as attending regional and national activities, with 47 secondary schools taking part nationwide.

While the effects of the coronavirus pandemic may be ongoing, we can’t – and won’t – let that be another barrier to music making.  

Please join Orchestras for All’s movement today and support our young musicians >

Easter 2021 playlist: National Orchestra for All ambassadors share their musical favourites

National Orchestra for All ambassador, Joe, recommends listening to ‘Waterfall’ by The Stone Roses. Picture: Wallpaper Cave

Which songs will you be listening to this Easter? Here are a few to get you started…

From spending time with family and friends to hunting for chocolate eggs, there’s plenty of fun to be had in lockdown over the Easter break. What’s more, long weekends mean more opportunities to share and discover new music!

We caught up with National Orchestra for All ambassadors Joe, Megan, Phoebe and Isaac to find out which tunes they can’t get enough of…

Read more: ‘Don’t put yourself down’: 18-year-old flautist shares her advice with aspiring young musicians >

Joe: Easter is a time to feel good. It’s all about celebrating everything positive to do with spring: the renewing bloom of nature, the return of the warm sun – and eating chocolate without the guilt! 

That’s why my recommendation for your Easter Sunday playlist is a warm, feel-good song. Introducing ‘Waterfall’ by The Stone Roses. 

Discover more on National Orchestra for All >

It’s an easy listen with an upbeat tone, a major key and enough to keep you interested all the way through. It’s a Madchester song (a popular musical and cultural scene in Manchester in the 1980s), so it can fit into a number of genres from pop to indie-dance. It deserves a place in anyone’s playlist!

Megan: Over the past year, I'd say my taste in music has evolved a lot – but two artists I’ve consistently listened to are Hozier and Woodkid. 

The first song I’d recommend is ‘Sunlight’ by Hozier. It’s one of my personal favourites by him – the references to Icarus and the sun are hauntingly beautiful and when combined with the use of percussion and background vocals, it creates an eerie but powerful effect. Chances are you’ll recognise him from his other song, ‘Take me to church’, which was played a lot on the radio a few years ago!

Another song I really enjoy is ‘Conquest of Spaces’ by Woodkid. You might recognise his music if you ever watched Netflix’s Umbrella Academy – he was the one who sang ‘Run Boy Run’!

‘Sunlight’ by Hozier is a personal favourite, says Megan: ‘The references to Icarus and the sun are hauntingly beautiful.‘ Picture: Giphy

Woodkid beautifully utilises percussion in his work alongside soaring strings and other traditional orchestral instruments to create a grand atmosphere. As the track develops, the instruments all come together and swell to produce enrapturing sound. 

If you enjoy these songs, I’d 100 per cent recommend you listen to other works by those musicians – it’s all just as good and who knows, you might even discover a new favourite artist!

Please donate to Orchestras for All and make a difference to young lives >

Phoebe: If you’re looking for something a little different to listen to this Easter break, I would definitely recommend giving ‘Ex-Wives’ from SIX a listen. A new musical about Henry VIII’s six wives, Six combines traditional musical theatre with more modern techno beats.

‘Ex-Wives’ is the opening song from the show – what I really love is that each wife gets a chance to sing her own verse and then they all sing together in the chorus, creating some really cool harmonies all layered above a techno beat that you won’t be able to get out of your head for days.

There’s also a cheeky little bit of ‘Greensleeves’ in there – see if you can spot it while listening!

Isaac: My recommendations are ‘Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2’ by Franz Liszt and ‘Passing By’ by Edward Purcell. Hungarian Rhapsody is a piece I like for its drama; it has these wonderfully tense, quiet and sparse sections that alternate with triumphant, grand and virtuosic ones, and it makes it really easy to be swept along in it.

I like to watch videos of people playing it because the speed of their fingers is astounding. ‘Passing By’ is simply an intensely beautiful song, it really brings across this sense of sweetness and longing.

The recordings I've heard are by the excellent Paul Robeson – and they never fail to pull on the heartstrings. Now, a quick bonus lighthearted one: ‘Ghost Grinder’ by Steam Powered Giraffe is a bit weird but I always find myself dancing along when I listen to it!

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‘Don’t put yourself down’: 18-year-old flautist shares her advice with aspiring young musicians

Meet 18-year-old Phoebe from Manchester. The self-confessed musical theatre fan first joined the National Orchestra for All family as a flautist and is now a trusted ambassador. Here’s everything you need to know…

When did you first become interested in music?

My parents have the belief that everyone should play an instrument, so when I was in Year 3 they started me on the flute and I’ve just carried on ever since!

I also play a bit of guitar, a bit of ukulele, I play a bit of everything. (I'm one of those people!) But honestly, my main thing is singing. It’s one of those where I would just pick something up and kind of figure it out – I’m a Jack of all trades, master of none!

What music have you been listening to in lockdown?

I'm doing a joint honours in Music and Musical Theatre at [Chichester] university, so I've mostly been listening to musicals – a lot of Six, Heathers, Wicked... that’s more my ballpark. I'm very excited about everything coming back to the West End and theatres opening again! It’s so raw and you never get the same thing twice. You've got the set text and the set notes, but each performer does something completely different with it from night to night.

Read more: ‘Coming from a working class family, classical music seemed so inaccessible’, says teenage clarinetist >

“If it wasn’t for National Orchestra for All, I wouldn’t have done music at university,” explains Phoebe

It’s been so different just singing in my room, or just to my teacher online – it's been quite challenging indeed! I've got a very different experience than other people because I go to a very small university. It’s actually a conservatoire, so the conservatoire itself is quite small. We’ve been [learning] in person for a large part. It’s very interesting trying to do ballet with a mask on...

We do a core of musical theatre, so I study three types of dance a week, style and genre, contextual modules, music theory and a class in professional resilience, which is all about taking care of your mind and body. ‘Cause it’s quite a harsh industry, we also do an hour of yoga every week, which is nice!

Tell us about your journey with Orchestras for All.

I joined Orchestras for All when I was in Year 9, so I was about 14 years old – and I can honestly say that I don't think I would have gone down the route I have in doing performing arts at A Level and going on to do music at university if I hadn't had that experience of travelling the country in a large youth ensemble. I genuinely don't think I would have ended up going down the path I'm on now.

Flautist Phoebe (pictured top right) supports the National Orchestra for All

What’s the best thing about playing in an orchestra?

It’s just hearing all the different parts! You'll be sat there in the middle of the orchestra and hear the brass on one side with all their individual parts and the strings on the other. You’ll sit there knowing the music and thinking, ‘Oh, they’ve got a little twiddly bit coming up!’ and hear every individual person coming together into something big – it’s just really amazing to be a part of.

Discover more on National Orchestra for All >

I started off playing in smaller ensembles at school. It was very much the Wallace and Gromit theme tune, playing backing for carols at Christmas concerts – quite generic things, whereas at Orchestras for All we’ve played Jewish folk music, Romanian folk music and classical pieces like Swan Lake. We also performed pieces from operas and musical theatre pieces – which excited me a lot because I then went on to have to sing one of the pieces we’d played and I thought, ‘I know the tune to this, I’ve played it!’.

If you could give one piece of advice to other young people who are considering joining an orchestra, what would it be?

I think it would be: don't put yourself down. I know when it comes to my playing, sometimes I get quite nervous if I can just hear me. I’ll be there going, ‘Oh, I’m making all these mistakes! Oh, I can’t quite hit that note!’ – but in your collective part, chances are the person next to you might be able to do that bit, so you've got someone to cover you a bit.

There might be a part they’re struggling with that you’re really confident with. It’s all a bit of give and take, so even if you personally feel like you might not be good enough and you've got all these doubts in your head, I’d say just go for it! There’s no other way to really gain that confidence other than to just get out there and do everything!

‘I don’t think I would have gone down the path I’m on now if I hadn’t joined Orchestras for All’, says young musician Phoebe

Orchestras for All is…

Fun, family and exciting! I feel like people should join and support the cause because there’s no other way to do it really. I come from quite an impoverished area and if it wasn’t for being able to go out and gain confidence and travelling around different parts of the country then I wouldn’t have been able to go to university to study music.

I’d probably still be sat at home in my room, in my town – rather than travelling across the country to study what I love. I feel like people should support Orchestras for All, so that more young people like me get that opportunity and that confidence to really go and do what they love.

Even if playing in an orchestra isn’t your bag or your cup of tea, like it’s something you’ve never really done before or thought about (I trained as a solo singer first and [perform in] musical theatre style – nothing like Romanian folk music!), it’s just such a different experience. Even if your interest lies anywhere else – in opera, jazz, or any other areas of music – gaining that experience by being part of something different really helps.

To help other young musicians like Phoebe do what they love best, please donate today >

‘Coming from a working class family, classical music seemed so inaccessible’, says teenage clarinetist

Based in north London, 19-year-old English Literature student and clarinetist, Joe, first joined the National Orchestra for All (NOFA) in 2014. Years on he supports the group as an Ambassador, so we caught up with him to find out more about his life and musical journey…

Tell us what music means to you.

Music has always been central to my life. We had to learn an instrument in Year 4 [at school], which for me was the clarinet. I’ve kept it up ever since and also did music for GCSE. For me, music is a creative outlet – I do love those creative outlets, which is why I’m studying English Literature! 

I love expressing my emotions in a way that other people can enjoy them as much as me, whether that’s through music, art or writing.

What’s been keeping you busy in lockdown?

I’ve mostly been in class – studying English Lit is pretty heavy! I’ve been reading Sabrina by Nick Drnaso, which is a really great graphic novel and there’s a whole bunch of poetry too. We’ve adapted well [during the pandemic] – the university’s got a good system going and the union is working the hardest they can, so it works.

This might sound a bit odd but I’m also a professional conker player. I picked it up in lockdown when the conkers fell and started practising. So yeah, I’m good with a conker!

Read more: ‘Learning by ear can develop an ensemble’s creative side’, says folk musician Emily Askew >

‘Playing the clarinet is relaxing – it forces you to focus on your breathing’, says Joe

Who inspired you to pick up the clarinet?

To be honest it wasn’t really inspiration, it was more the instrument we were handed in Year 4 and told ‘this is what you’re going to play now’! I learned the basics and got to Grade 1 standard of playing by the end of Year 6. When I went to secondary school they didn’t have a clarinet, but I picked it up again in Year 8 and have had it ever since. 

It’s a very relaxing instrument because it forces you to focus on your breathing, so you get into a rhythm and that really calms you down when you’re taking big breaths or holding [a note]. The clarinet is also a soft-sounding instrument (although it can be noisy when it wants to be!). 

On the whole it’s an instrument that takes the back melodies – not many pieces are written for the clarinet, so when you play them they tend to be calm. 

Describe what music you enjoy listening to the most.

I’m a huge fan of Florence and the Machine – I just love her music, it’s so great! I think I pretty much know every song now. Similarly with Amy Winehouse and Elbow. They’re my mainstays but I also listen to the radio quite a lot (I’m old-fashioned like that), so pick up songs I like from there too. And I love Celeste’s music.

A lot of [Amy and Celeste’s] music touches on issues that I grew up around, so it resonates with me in a big way. But the songs also have gravity and weight in ways that other songs don’t. They usually have a heavy beat, a low line and as for the lyrics themselves, you don’t necessarily have to listen to the words to get the meaning – and sometimes that’s really powerful.

Joe (pictured top left) supports a virtual rehearsal with the National Orchestra for All

Has Orchestras for All impacted your life and musical journey?

The National Orchestra for All (NOFA) has been such a help; it advanced my musical skills grade upon grade, year after year and the [team] are always willing to help you learn. It also massively widened my classical music range – I now have a classical playlist that’s like 300 pieces long! 

It’s given me a real appreciation for other art and music and I’m really thankful that I was given the chance to learn and to improve. I’ve met so many nice people that I still contact today. 

Read more: 17 things you’ll only understand if you’ve played in a youth orchestra >

Why is playing in a youth orchestra so special? 

You don’t really find that togetherness anywhere else. You can go out to university clubs, but there’s only so many people there. Orchestras represent a unique harmony, if you like – they’re organic and [in NOFA] you get 100 young people coming together in a uniform way, it’s so great! It’s inspirational because you just don’t see it anywhere else. 

Artistic Director Emma Oliver-Trend leads a Modulo performance at the Royal Academy of Music

What’s your advice to other young musicians who are considering joining an orchestra?

Absolutely go for it! Try your hardest – if you’ve tried your best, no-one will ever fault you because you’ve still contributed in some way to the harmony of that orchestra. You’ll definitely take away something more from it – you’re never not learning.

Orchestras for All is…

Amazement! Coming from a working class background, classical music seemed so inaccessible. It just seemed like something for the rich and wealthy – you could learn but weren’t given the opportunity unless you had the money. 

If you break down those barriers, more people can have an appreciation for it. And it’s history! If you section off that part of music, you lose something forever. The more you break down those barriers, the more people can remember [the music] – and that’s really important. 

To support young musicians like Joe, please donate to Orchestras for All >

‘Learning by ear can develop an ensemble’s creative side’, says folk musician Emily Askew

Emily Askew joins Orchestras for All for a virtual tea break to discuss lockdown, nyckelharpas and why aural leadership is the way forward…

From fiddles and recorders to pianos and bagpipes, esteemed folk musician and music educator Emily Askew certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to playing musical instruments.

Specialising in folk and early music, Emily is best known for performing in The Emily Askew Band and as part of acclaimed English folk duo, The Askew Sisters, while also leading the London Youth Folk Ensemble, arranged by The English Folk Dance and Song Society.

A champion of aural learning, Emily will be hosting a free live webinar in collaboration with Orchestras for All, Learning by Ear Ensemble Leadership, via Zoom on Thursday 25 March at 5:00pm.

Ahead of the event, Emily told Orchestras for All: “Aural leadership is teaching without any written notation in front of you. Participants use their ears to take direction rather than reading, which can develop an ensemble’s awareness of the musicians playing around them – especially if their heads aren’t buried in written music!”

Read more: 17 things you’ll only understand if you’ve played in a youth orchestra >

Emily Askew, music leader at The English Folk Dance and Song Society

She continued: “It’s a very practical approach to teaching chords, harmony and music theory, and I find it really helps develop an ensemble’s creative side and being more open to improvisation and creating their own arrangements.

“Any instruments can be used! You can take in so much more detail about the music style of the person teaching you, which is too detailed to be written down in notation.”

Boost your aural leadership skills >

The live webinar comes as Orchestras for All launches its new Music Leadership Training Programme – specially designed to provide music leaders and teachers working in state secondary schools, music hubs and community music services with new skills.

The online session also follows two fully booked webinars led by Sian Edwards, OFA’s Artistic Patron and Head of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Sian Edwards, Orchestras for All’s Artistic Patron

Sharing her three top tips for aspiring musicians, Emily said: “Listen to as many different styles of music as you can, even genres you think you won’t like – you can learn so much and take influence from other musicians even if they don’t play your instrument.

“It’s easier said than done during a pandemic, but also try and perform with as many other musicians as you can – you can take so much from practically playing with others. And most importantly, enjoy yourself!”

Meanwhile, her advice to teachers is: ”Keep challenging yourself. There have been times where I’ve felt stuck in a rut but then I’ve observed other music leaders or musicians and it’s given me new ideas and increased my enthusiasm and enjoyment in my work. Learning something new also keeps me in touch with what it’s like to be a student.”

Since graduating at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Emily has released three studio albums and toured extensively with Askew Sisters. She has also performed as principal recorder at prestigious English opera house, Glyndebourne, and as a multi-instrumentalist in productions at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End and Shakespeare’s Globe.

Sign up for Emily Askew’s live webinar >

17 things you’ll only understand if you’ve played in a youth orchestra

From pencil dramas to sight-reading mishaps, here’s everything you need to know.

Aside from being totally empowering, joining a youth orchestra like National Orchestra for All has endless benefits – from building your confidence and boosting your communication skills to forming life-long friendships.

But when you first get started, what’s it really like? We take a trip down memory lane and reveal all…

1. Accidentally knocking over your music stand halfway through a piece and alarming your musical neighbours (yes, violinists – we’re looking at you and your pesky bows).

2. Finding the conductor’s facial expressions secretly amusing. Is raising your eyebrows that high even humanly possible?

3. Realising this is the first time you’ve picked up your instrument since last week’s rehearsal, so decide to mime the whole way through.

4. Sight-reading a new piece and suddenly forgetting which key it’s in. How many flats does B-flat major have again?

Read more: Conductor Sian Edwards shares her top tips on leading an ensemble >

5. When you’re trying to hear your part, but the trumpets and trombones are busy deafening the rest of the orchestra.

6. Making faces at your cellist friend for 10 minutes, only to be clocked by the conductor. Woops.

7. When the violas scoff at being compared to the violins. No guys, it’s NOT the same instrument.

8. Having to count a bars’ rest, only your mind begins to wander and turns to what you’re having for dinner that evening…

9. A cup of orange squash, a custard cream and a good chat with your musical pals during the break makes even the dullest of rehearsals worth it.

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10. Turning up to a rehearsal without your mouthpiece, slide, bow, reeds, or [insert relevant instrument part here].

11. Trying your best to focus on what the conductor is saying, but the percussionist sat opposite is determined to make everyone laugh. There’s always one joker in the pack…

12. Diligently counting 134 bars’ rest – but then getting distracted at the very last second and coming in three beats too early or completely missing your entry.

13. Spending an age miming along to a piece of music whilst frantically trying to work out which rehearsal mark the conductor started from – before realising you’re looking at the wrong piece.

14. Getting a little too excited during rehearsals and coming in at double the speed because you’ve misunderstood the conductor’s beating.

15. When a whole section forgets their pencils, forcing the oboes to share theirs.

16. Eventually borrowing someone else’s pencil – but then subsequently dropping and losing it.

17. And finally, realising how much you miss all of these things and can’t wait to get back to rehearsing with your orchestra crew when lockdown is over!

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