RADIO
TUNER
METRONOME
SEARCH
The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) has recently launched a new initiative that aims to tackle the ever-dwindling opportunities for live music-making available in British schools. Titled An Orchestra in Every School, the project is part of a three-year public engagement campaign begun in May 2024.
The project is calling on the UK government to introduce legislation that prescribes a statutory minimum of two hours of active music-making per week for all children and young people, up until the time that they turn 16. A further goal is for every school to offer an „orchestra“ — whatever that might look like in the context of the local community.
In launching the initiative, the ABO has highlighted sobering statistics on the drop in engagement with music in schools. For instance, one study showed that between 2010 and 2024, there was a 43 per cent fall in the number of students taking Music for their A-Levels. Further, the Music GCSE is currently only available at 58% of secondary schools.
In a release, the ABO also quoted a recent Demos report which found that the current government inherited a „black hole“ in its music education budget, to the tune of £161.4m in shortfall.
„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,“ said Judith Webster, ABO Chief Executive. „That is why it’s our aspiration for every school in the UK to either have an orchestra of its own – however they define that or access to live music making.“
„Findings show that opportunities for live music making have notable cognitive, emotional and social growth in children and young people and that is why more needs to be done. We know firsthand from our member orchestras how impactful live performances can be for children and young people.“
„We are committed to our ambitious target of supporting one million children and young people access opportunities to make live music; the government has said in the past that live music is a vital part of a child’s education and we look forward to seeing their support during these formative school years.“
may 2025
12mayAll Day03junPrague Spring International Music Festival(All Day) Rudolfinum, Alšovo nábř. 79/12, 110 00 Staré město-Staré Město, CzechiaEvent Type :Other
12mayAll Day03junPrague Spring International Cello Competition(All Day) Rudolfinum, Alšovo nábř. 79/12, 110 00 Staré město-Staré Město, CzechiaEvent Type :competitions
17mayAll Day18Stulberg International String Competition(All Day) Dalton Center Recital Hall at Western Michigan University, 1300 Theatre Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008Event Type :competitions
24mayAll Day08junSendai International Violin Competition(All Day) Hitachi Systems Hall Sendai (Sendai City Youth Cultural Center), 3-27-5, Asahigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Pref., 981-0904, JapanEvent Type :competitions
25mayAll Day06junMontreal International Voice Competition(All Day) Event Type :competitions
june 2025
01junAll Day13International Conducting Competition Rotterdam – Final Round(All Day) de Doelen, Schouwburgplein 50 3012 CL RotterdamEvent Type :competitions
06junAll Day12Khachaturian International Conducting Competition(All Day) Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, 46 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, Yerevan, ArmeniaEvent Type :competitions
14junAll Day29Sendai International Piano Competition(All Day) Hitachi Systems Hall Sendai (Sendai City Youth Cultural Center), 3-27-5, Asahigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Pref., 981-0904, JapanEvent Type :competitions
“Thank you Violin Channel for creating such a wonderful and much welcome platform in our industry”
“The Violin Channel is my preferred source for all things classical”
“The Violin Channel is a real mover and shaker in the classical music industry and contributes so much”
“The Violin Channel upholds standards of true reporting and sharing without bias”
“The Violin Channel provides an invaluable service”
The Violin Channel is the New York City-based leading international classical music news, media and streaming platform — with over 600,000+ social media and app devotees and an email subscription base of over 100,000 people, the platform consistently reaches in excess of 2,000,000 eyeballs worldwide each and every month. It comprehensively covers international classical music goings-on far beyond just the violin and strings, and includes up-to-date industry news, masterclasses, competition coverage, interviews, educational resources, events, and concert livestreams, with a heavy focus on the promotion of highly promising young string soloists and ensembles.
©2023 The Violin Channel, All Rights Reserved
(before live stream)
Free – and trusted by 2 million+ readers monthly
