Digital, Diversity and Brexit! Tough topics at ABO Conference

The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) holds its 2017 conference in Bournemouth on 25 to 27 January 2017. Rather intriguingly the conference theme is Disruption and there will be sessions on diversity, digital and Brexit. The conference is hosted by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, (BSO), the only UK orchestra to have received Arts Council Change Makers funding for their project with conductor James Rose. James uses a specially developed head-baton, and he will develop a new ensemble for the BSO comprising disabled and non-disabled musicians, the first of its kind. 

Disruption comes in various guises, some welcome and some unwelcome. Many people agree that the classical concert format is a bit stale, and conference delegates will explore key questions such as 'How can new technology revolutionise the orchestral experience?' and 'Are there completely new business models to explore?'. Other key topics include what potential disruptors there are which will influence the diversity of orchestras and audiences, and of course in the era of Brexit, is politics the ultimate disruptor?

Delegates will also attend a concert conducted by Kirill Karabits, Chief Conductor of the BSO, featuring Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 (with Valeriy Sokolov) and Shostkovtich Symphony No. 8; the concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

Full details from the ABO website.