Association of British Orchestras Launches "An Orchestra in Every School" Project

The project calls upon the UK government to stipulate a minimum of two hours of music learning per week, among other recommendations

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."