Music that Moves You: new survey from ABO & partners reveals 74% say that orchestras are a vital part of the country’s cultural heritage

National Children's Orchestras under 12 orchestra perform Shimmer and Glow at Portsmouth Guildhall, August 2023 (Photo: Vernon Nash)

It shouldn't need saying but it does, and there is a new survey to prove it. Yesterday, the Association of British Orchestras (ABO), representing its 200 member organisations, along with partners, Classic FM, Classical Music Magazine, LIVE, UK Music, the Musicians’ Union and the Independent Society of Musicians, launched a three-year campaign to celebrate the power and value of classical music and the UK’s orchestras, backed by a new survey that confirms what we already knew but what governments seem to forget - 74% say that orchestras are a vital part of the country’s cultural heritage and 65% of people believe that classical music is under-appreciated today.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults was conducted by Opinium, and reveals that four in five of UK adults suggest that music has reminded them of important moments in their life. 71% of people believe that classical music amplifies the big moments in life such as weddings, funerals, sporting events and national ceremonies, with nearly three quarters (73%) of 18-34 year olds agreeing with this. Moreover, 65% of the ABO’s survey felt that classical music is under-appreciated by today’s society.

The survey recognises a multitude of emotional responses that respondents felt whilst listening to the music - younger generations - 73% of 18-34 year olds - want to be completely immersed when listening to their music, contrasting with 59% of 35-54 year olds, and 43% of 55+ year olds.

Seven in ten of UK adults from the ABO's survey believe music is an important part of their wellbeing. With many orchestras and ensembles carrying out performances in health and social care settings, not only do they contribute to the cultural life in local communities across the country, they make a vital contribution to the nation’s wellbeing, by enabling anyone to connect with the arts and to experience live music performances.

The full press release is on the ABO's website, and there is a devoted webpage for the campaign complete with a toolkit.

Classical Music/ABO Awards 2021

John Gilhooly
2021 ABO Classical Music
Concert Hall Manager of the Year
(photo Kaupo Kikkas)

On Friday,the Association of British Orchestra's (ABO) annual conference came to an end. Under the theme of Aftershock, the 2021 ABO Conference brought delegates from all areas of the classical music industry together to take an in-depth look at the challenges the orchestral sector has faced in this most unprecedented of years. The conference ended with the announcement of the annual ABO Award and the winners of the 2021 ABO/Classical Music Awards.

The ABO dedicated the ABO Award to all the musicians who help to make the UK’s orchestral sector the global success that it is and whose livelihoods are currently at stake as a result of the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Simon Webb, ABO Chair who presented the ABO Award, commented: "The ABO Award is presented annually to the individual or institution considered by the membership to have made the most important contribution to the orchestral life of the UK.  But in this exceptional year the ABO board decided that it was not one individual that needed celebrating, but a collective. While it has been a tough year for those of us who manage orchestras, it has been even tougher for those who make the music. Forced to down tools, go on furlough, rely on the Self Employed Income Support Scheme, or cope with no income at all, they have had to show reserves of resilience and ingenuity to survive. They have had to accept cancellations with good grace, and show flexibility when we have spotted a last minute opportunity to put concerts on. And what has been impressive is that so many have kept the music alive, from playing on their doorsteps to creating online resources for children. So it is with pride that we have decided to present the 2021 ABO Award to ‘the musicians’."

Winner of the Classical Music Artist Manager of the Year category is President of HarrisonParrott France and CEO of Polyarts, Moema Parrott, who was praised for the innovation and creativity she has shown in spearheading a range of digital initiatives.

Classical Music Concert Hall Manager of the Year went to Artistic and Executive Director of Wigmore Hall, John Gilhooly OBE, for his extraordinary achievement in curating Wigmore Hall’s high-quality series of free online performances – the first to take place in any UK hall following the start of the first lockdown – which were broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and which continue to bring the joy of live music to audiences throughout the world.

The recipient of the Orchestra Manager of the Year award was Chief Executive of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Crispin Woodhead, for the leadership he has shown in the creation of the OAE’s new digital platform, the OAE Player, and the launch of the OAE’s initiative with Acland Burghley School in the London Borough of Camden which has seen the orchestra become the first in Britain to take up a full, active residence in a secondary school.

For the first time, the decision was made by the panel to present an additional Commendation which went to Greg Felton, Digital Creative at the London Philharmonic Orchestra, for his work expanding the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s online presence over the past year including single-handedly managing the filming and streaming of the LPO’s series of online concerts. 

Further details from the ABO website.

Aftershock: Association of British Orchestra's 2021 conference

The Association of British Orchestera's 2021 conference, which takes place on-line from 10 to 12 March 2021, has the title Aftershock. The conference will be analysing the 'seismic issues that have sent shockwaves through the sector' – from the devastating impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the threatening repercussions of Brexit, to the urgency of the climate change crisis and the reignited call to confront classical music’s inequities and create meaningful change in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

It will also offer an opportunity to champion the invention and flexibility shown by orchestras and musicians in continuing to connect with audiences, and to discuss the new approaches they can take forward to adapt to the new post-COVID landscape and build recovery. 

For the first time, the opening day of the conference will be free to attend for musicians, hosted in partnership with Help Musicians.

The keynote speech will be given by Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister of State for Digital & Culture (so a chance for everyone to question the government's attitude to the arts and to freelance workers in particular), and other speakers will include Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England,  Alan Davey, controller of BBC Radio 3, Simon Woods, president and chief executive of the League of American Orchestras, Sarah Derbyshire MBE, chief executive of Orchestras Live and  Vanessa Reed, president & CEO of New Music USA.

The conference is open to members and non-members, full details from the ABO website.