National youth music charity and new Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, Orchestras for All (OFA), is dedicated to ensuring that all young people in the UK have an equal opportunity to experience the transformative power of group music-making as well as access to high-quality, inclusive music education, regardless of their personal circumstances. Our purpose is to empower and energise young people who may not otherwise experience classical music to develop their musical and social skills, boost their confidence and self-esteem, support their wellbeing and connect them with a diverse network of like-minded individuals.
During its most recent artistic season, OFA delivered its mission by providing opportunities for 104 young musicians aged 11-19 and of all abilities, experience and backgrounds to participate in its life-changing programme, National Orchestra for All (NOFA). NOFA is the most inclusive, accessible and diverse national youth orchestra in the UK today, welcoming young people from across the country, playing any instrument – including those not typically found in a traditional orchestra. Before joining, members had often struggled to access music-making opportunities due to the significant daily barriers they face:
100%: Experience at least one barrier to music-making opportunities |
19%: Levelling Up for Culture and/or Priority Places |
62%: Living in an Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index area (Levels 1-4) |
13%: Deaf, disabled or long-term health condition |
44%: Global majority (African, Asian, Latin American) background |
9%: Non-binary or transgender |
35%: Eligible for free school meals |
4%: Displaced person (refugee/asylum seeker) |
22%: Neurodivergent |
4%: In care |
19%: Mental health condition |
4%: Young carer |
We’re determined for this to change. That’s why each year, we bring NOFA members together from across the country for exciting rehearsals and workshops at residential courses held at leading arts venues, as well as social and musical activities – from yoga, running clubs, crafting and Young Leaders programmes, to jamming sessions and recital evenings, where members performed to each other as a solo or in small groups. In August 2024, NOFA members had the opportunity to perform at CBSO Centre in Birmingham to celebrate all they had achieved. Titled ‘Sounds of Change’ (after the ensemble’s artistic theme), the concert was relaxed, inclusive and performed to a live audience. Some NOFA members even starred as conductors or performed solos, while Ambassadors (NOFA alums) hosted the event. The short film we share here today is a true celebration of this joyous event and the diverse group of young people who make NOFA so very special.
To reflect the diversity of NOFA members, a diverse programme of repertoire was carefully curated for the event in collaboration with OFA’s Youth Board. Our repertoire challenges orchestral traditions and includes music from multiple genres, including pop, global and theme scores, alongside traditional classical works. We also prioritise forgotten or underrepresented classical composers, particularly female composers. This season, NOFA played: ‘Hornet’ and ‘Reflection’, taken from Christopher Larkin’s gripping Hollow Knight video game soundtrack, arranged for OFA by Emily Lim; The ‘Allegro’ movement of Symphony No. 1 in E minor – a sonorous, lyrical work penned by American classical composer, Florence Price, arranged by Simon Tong; ‘Ghost Town’, written by Jerry Dammers and made famous by British two-tone band, The Specials, arranged by James Brady.
We also co-compose new works with NOFA, providing opportunities for members to direct, collaborate with professional artists and explore their creativity within a supportive environment. These works are driven by topics that are important to young people, allowing them to culturally engage with and challenge global issues, including the environment, social justice and equality. This season, NOFA co-wrote ‘Strength in Numbers’ with guest musician, Joe Broughton, inspired by the diverse genres of Birmingham (Indian music, Irish music and heavy metal): https://bit.ly/SmileyNOFA24). Meanwhile, a group composing model was used to co-create ‘Sounds of Change’ with composer Emily Crossland, inspired by Indonesian Gamelan music.
To ensure access for all, we employ a large wellbeing and safeguarding team who offer bespoke support, catering 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 alternative forms of notation (e.g. visual ‘music maps’ with colour codes), 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 through formal partnerships, conferences, peer to peer learning and informal networks.
On behalf of everyone at Orchestras for All, thank you to all those involved in making this life-changing programme possible – including our loyal network of funders, individual donors and supporters. Together, we can break down barriers to inclusive music education and keep making music that matters.
“NOFA is a second home for me – a second family, a safe space. I can't recall any moment here that I haven’t enjoyed. I feel respected and heard – and it's here that I've made some of my closest friends. The music is catchy, and the staff are absolutely amazing. If you want to play an instrument and they don’t already have it, they’ll find tutors to help you join in. I feel so proud to be part of this organisation and I so look forward to what's next of it.” – Noah, NOFA pianist
"Watching NOFA was the most profound experience of my life" – George Lee, Executive Director of BCMG
"Everything OFA champions - equity, diversity, inclusion, youth voice – was right there on stage. It was just brilliant" – Sophie Lewis, Chair of Association of British Orchestras
Orchestras for All (OFA) is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation that breaks down barriers to give all young people the life-changing experience of making music together, regardless of their background or personal circumstances. Its inclusive, non-auditioned National Orchestra for All (NOFA) brings together 100 young musicians from across the UK who would otherwise be unable to access musical opportunities.
Meanwhile, the charity’s Modulo and Music Leadership Training programmes equip under-resourced music leaders with the vital tools and support they need to run their own inclusive ensembles in schools and local communities.
We know that music-making boosts young people’s skills and enriches their lives forever. That’s why we value commitment to music over ability and deliver our programmes in a flexible and inclusive way, so that they are accessible to all – regardless of instrument skill level, additional needs or background.
OFA continually develops its approach in placing youth leadership at the heart of everything it does through roles on its Board, core and freelance teams, working with external artistic partners, arrangers and composers, workshop animateurs, cultural venues, social and additional needs experts, along with a team of highly experienced orchestral and pastoral tutors, to ensure its programmes are delivered to the highest standard. By sharing values of inclusivity, ownership and collaboration, OFA is sowing the seeds for positive social change.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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