MODULO PROGRAMME
Kickstarting a vibrant culture of inclusive music-making in state schools and community groups nationwide
What is the Modulo Programme?
The Modulo Programme has been specially designed to support state schools, community groups and music hubs and services to create and run their own ‘Modulo ensemble’ – an inclusive ensemble that is accessible to every young person.
Modulo exists to create inclusive environments where young people from any background can thrive and enjoy making music with others, regardless of their musical ability, previous experience or the instrument they choose to play.
We will support Modulo leaders to develop the skills and confidence they need to set up a Modulo, which rehearse together regularly and explore new music.
Our aim is to help music leaders transform the musical offer in their school or community by setting up fun, energising and sustainable music-making opportunities.
Modulo ensembles come together twice a year in inspiring arts venues to form large-scale ensembles, welcoming a wide variety of instruments and abilities. Participants are each supported by an expert team of professional orchestral musicians.
“I love Modulo because the people here are super nice and they’ll help you no matter what skill level you are on your instrument.”
“It has given my students real life experience of playing in a big ensemble and the skills that involves. Today, in a choir rehearsal, a pupil involved in Modulo mentioned leaving silence at the end and feeling the ‘magic in the air’ – something she learnt from conductor Rocco. It seems the lessons they learned have stayed with them.”
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN MODULO
Whether you’re a school looking to apply for one of our Sheffield, Gateshead or Birmingham meets, want to access our repertoire, or you’re looking to explore kickstarting Modulo in an area near you, please register your interest below and our team will reach back out with next steps!
By submitting the above form you consent to Orchestras for All storing your details and contacting you by email with information about the Modulo Programme. You can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting modulo@orchestrasforall.org
Where will the Modulo Meets take place?
This season, we will be running our Modulo meets in three incredible cities, welcoming schools from within the area and beyond – each with its own vibrant musical community and inspiring performance spaces. These will be the hubs where young people gather to make music side by side:
Our new home
We are excited to deliver our very first Orchestras For All Programme in our new home city of Sheffield. This is just the beginning of building connections with young people and schools across South Yorkshire and beyond.
an iconic city
Modulo will once again take over Gateshead, filling the city with the sound of inclusive ensemble music from schools and groups across the North East and beyond.
our midlands heartbeat
We’re back in Birmingham, bringing young people together from across the Midlands and beyond to make music at the heart of one of the UK’s most vibrant cultural cities.
Keen to host a Modulo Meet near you?
We’re building new partnerships with schools, hubs and communities nationwide – so Modulo can reach more young people, wherever you are. For more information get in touch with us at modulo@orchestrasforall.org
Contact us - we’d love to hear from you!
For further details about how to get involved in the Modulo Programme as a teacher or Music Hub leader please register your interest using the form above. Alternatively, if you have any questions, comments or feedback regarding our Modulo events, please get in touch with the Orchestras for All team below and we’ll be happy to help:
By email: modulo@orchestrasforall.org
By phone: 0114 492 0222
Frequently Asked Questions…
Who is the Modulo Programme for?
The Modulo Programme has been specially designed for young people aged 11-18 and suits a wide range of groups, including (but not limited to):
- Classroom ensembles, KS3, GCSE or BTEC-level, suitable for all students
- Small groups of mixed-ability players
- Schools or communities with no other music ensemble opportunities
- Groups made up of mixed-skill levels and instruments (think guitars, clarinets, keyboards, harmonicas and many more)
- A community youth group with a wide range of musical experience
All music groups are unique, so whatever your ensemble we would love for you to get involved and join our music-making community.
What experience do we want young people to have?
Orchestras for All aims to provide an inclusive, accessible environment for all the young people it works with. We want everyone to feel comfortable, safe and able to be creative within the programmes it provides.
When young people join our programmes, our goal is to support their development beyond their musical abilities, building their confidence, self-esteem and social skills too.
What are the benefits?
Everyone’s Modulo can be tailored to each community and their unique needs, but common benefits you can expect from taking part in the programme include:
- Resources to get your Modulo started, including scores, parts and backing tracks;
- Bespoke arrangements and scores to suit all instruments and skill levels;
- Access to CPD and training
- Connecting with an active network of teachers and music professionals across the country
- High-impact events – the chance to bring your ensemble to a Modulo Meet and play as part of something bigger
- Flexible support – resources, guidance, and CPD shaped to your needs
- Confidence for young musicians – building skills, teamwork, and pride through shared performance
- Youth leadership opportunities to empower young musicians to share ideas, contribute creatively, and to help shape the programme going forward.
- Being part of a UK-wide movement for inclusive ensemble music-making.
- Support from the Orchestras for All team
- Orchestral workshops in your school/community group, supported by professional musicians
- Bursaries are available (means-tested) to support the cost of the programme and travel to Modulo Meets
What might Modulo look like at my school, music hub or service, or in my region?
The Modulo Programme is designed to be flexible and a modulo ensemble can take many different forms.
This could look like a single school ensemble rehearsing regularly using our resources. Or, it could be a group of schools or a music hub working together to create a local Modulo programme - including Modulo Meets – that becomes part of the local music offer.
In some regions, partners may choose to run their own style of Modulo events with our support, bringing together young people from across their community.
However your Modulo looks, the aim is the same – to create inclusive, accessible and sustainable opportunities for young people to make music together.
Who can lead a Modulo?
If you’re working in a state funded school, music hub or service, or a community group and would be keen to start or develop an instrument ensemble for 11-18 year-olds, you can lead a Modulo.
No prior conducting experience is necessary and we offer support for leaders through our Music Leadership Training programme. Previous Modulo leaders include:
- Trainee and early career classroom music teachers
- Experienced classroom music teachers and heads of department
- Instrumental teachers
- Music hub/service ensemble leaders
- Youth group leaders
What music will be played in our 2025 - 2026 season?
Next year marks Orchestras for All’s 15th anniversary so you can expect some very special repertoire to celebrate. We’ll be announcing this season’s repertoire - including brand new commissions and pieces suggested by our Modulo participants – very soon.
Make sure to follow us on social media and sign up to our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!
Examples of our previous repertoire include:
- ‘99 Red Balloons’ by Nena
- ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’, composed by Joe Hisaishi for Japanese animated fantasy film, Howl’s Moving Castle
- ‘Hornet’, featured in Christopher Larkin’s soundtrack for popular video game, Hollow Knight
- ‘Allegro ma non troppo’ – the first movement of Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 in E minor
- ‘I Wish’ by Stevie Wonder
Finally, thank you…
On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, thank you to Arts Council England, The Reta Lila Howard Foundation, the Granada Foundation for making the Modulo Programme possible. Thank you also to our core funders Arts Council England, The Alchemy Foundation, Hakluyt and Ingles & Hayday, as well as our individual donors for your continued support of our programmes.
Music education partners
