The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) recently announced its new public engagement initiative, 'An Orchestra in Every School', which aims to enable access for children and young people to live music making.
It will see UK orchestras and ensembles work in collaboration with schools and music educators, to deliver over a thousand live music making opportunities in 2025, with the aim of giving them the opportunity to experience the joy of live music, no matter their school resources, abilities or disability.
Two hours a week
On its launch the ABO called on the Government to pledge its support in the form of a statutory minimum of two hours of active music making every week for all children and young people until the age of 16, and for all schools to have access to live music making.
A recent report from the Cultural Learning Alliance found that, between 2010 and 2024, there was a 43 per cent fall in the number of A level entries in Music, with almost half (42%) of all secondary schools no longer offering Music GCSE.
A recent Demos report, commissioned by Music Mark found that the current government inherited a funding deficit to its music education budget amounting to £161.4m.
Sobering stats
ABO Chief Executive, Judith Webster, said: "The sobering statistics found in recent research highlight why 'An Orchestra in Every School' is crucial.
We know that making music as a group improves focus, enhances mood and strengthens social bonds, and there is such a powerful emotion that comes from experiencing a live performance."
A recent report from the Cultural Learning Alliance found that, between 2010 and 2024, there was a 43 per cent fall in the number of A level entries in Music4BR
Passionate help
In response to the news, Barbara Eifler, Chief Executive, Making Music, added: "Making Music is delighted to work with the Association of British Orchestras on this campaign.
We have over 1,000 orchestras all over the country, in rural and urban communities, from Shetland to Penzance, in our membership... passionate about helping to make sure that the next generation also has such opportunities.
Where there isn't a professional orchestra near a school, there is bound to be a leisure-time music group, and we encourage checking our website Find-a-Group tool to make a connection."
