OUR IMPACT

Making a positive difference, one musical note at a time…

A group of National Orchestra for All flautists are in focus, wearing purple t-shirts and rehearsing at CBSO Centre in Birmingham.

Orchestras for All (OFA) is an Arts Council England National Youth Music Organisation that exists to create inclusive, high-quality group music-making opportunities for young people who would otherwise be excluded.

We do this by providing safe spaces for young people to develop musical, social and creative skills, driving systemic change to empower organisations and individuals to embed inclusive practices, and centralising young people’s ideas and leadership.

Every year, we directly work with around 1000 young people and 250 teachers, and reach an additional 7,000 young people through our training, partnerships and speaking opportunities at national conferences.

““Orchestras for All has become a national treasure.””
— James Murphy, Chief Executive at the Royal Philharmonic Society
 

To ensure access for all, we employ a large wellbeing and safeguarding team who offer bespoke support that caters to each individual’s support needs.

We run our programmes at no cost to participants (including travel and subsistence) to remove financial barriers. We give ownership to young people through our Youth Board, three young trustees and a full-time paid Youth Leadership Coordinator.

We also produce accessible arrangements and use alternatives to musical notation, welcoming young people who would otherwise be unable to play. With each residential course held, we refine our inclusive practices and undergo significant evaluation to improve the programme and our methods, honing our expertise and sharing this with the sector.

The outstanding impact of OFA’s life-changing programmes will resonate for years to come, creating a legacy of inclusion, diversity and youth empowerment in the world.

Impact reports

Published annually, each Impact Report from Orchestras for All celebrates powerful programme highlights, spotlights the inspiring young musicians we work with, shares how we’re strengthening our charity for the future through the “OFA way”, and much more.

Please take a moment to read our latest report for 2023-2024 below:

Award wins

  • SHORTLISTED: Outstanding Musical Initiative – Music & Drama Education Awards 2024 and 2025

 
National Orchestra for All pianist, Noah, performs live at CBSO Centre in Birmingham. He is wearing an orange t-shirt and a knitted hat with a fox.
Music & Drama Education Awards 2025 Finalist
 
“NOFA has driven me in a direction I never thought I’d explore, inspiring me to pursue orchestral performance and a degree in music.”
— Matthew, National Orchestra for All flautist

Based on expert research

Behind every programme and musical activity at OFA lies a strong foundation of detailed research, both created by others and through constant evaluation of our projects.

Discover some of our key findings below.

 
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