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Orchestras Making Change in & around Aberdeen
Photo credits: Top left and bottom right images: Classic FM
This Party Conference season, we are showcasing the impactful and innovative work of UK orchestras on and off the stage.
Orchestras in Healthcare
Orchestras' work in healthcare, especially with people living with dementia, has had some wonderful results helping build memories and support networks for carers. Scottish Chamber Orchestras Reconnect programme and Scottish Opera's Memory Spinners provide a series of music sessions for people with dementia and their carers and family members.
Photo credits: Top left and top right: Scottish operas Memory Spinners, SCO's Reconnect.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra's Reconnect
Orchestras in the Community
The Glasgow Barons developed their Musicians in Exile programme to bring Glasgow’s asylum-seeking and refugee musicians together to make the music of their homelands, with weekly sessions and gig opportunities, see the video below.
Scottish Ensemble's Music for Wellbeing is a part of a multi-year research partnership with cancer charity Maggie’s, and in partnership with the Central and West Integration Network. The project has developed to support the New Scots community - refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers living in Glasgow, boosting mental wellbeing.
Photo credits: Right: Scottish Ensemble's Music for Wellbeing, Left: the Glasgow Barons Musician's in Exile
Orchestras Developing Skills
Scottish Opera's Barber of Seville is offering free Access Opera performances for patrons with a wide range of additional support needs and secondary school pupils. With extra descriptive elements and the freedom to move, these performances are perfect for young audiences with access needs.
Orchestras' work with schools in Scotland has resulted in some exciting projects: The Red Note Ensemble have developed An Easterhouse Children’s Manifesto, a song series devised and performed by the children, in collaboration with Oakwood Primary School, Easterhouse communities and film-makers Dumbworld, while Dunedin Consort's School Workshops will culminate in Children's Messiah performances around Scotland. BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's Inspiration for All project collaborates with schools across Scotland with young people of all ages, inspiring young people to get excited about music and creativity.
Red Note Ensemble in Oakwood primary School
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's Inspiration for All project
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) and Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) are collaborating on a Youth Assembly, a joint initiative to embed young voices into the heart of each organisation. The Youth Assembly serves in an advisory capacity for strengthening youth engagement in both organisations.
RSNO and SCO's Youth Assembly
British Orchestras are a national and global success story, a vital part of a UK music industry which contributed £4billion to the UK economy in 2021 and an important purveyor of the UK’s soft power.
Chineke! Foundation Young Musicians
Support a highly skilled workforce of more than 3,000 permanent musicians and 10,000 freelancers as well as 2,000 administrative and technical staff.
Play to over 4 million people in over 3,600 performances across the UK.
Tour to 40 countries across the world, playing to international concert audiences in excess of 550,000 people.
Generate over £17 million of inward investment into the UK as global exporters.
Create nearly 12,000 engagements for freelance musicians.
Reach over 700,000 children and adults in education and community settings, from schools to care homes.
Reach billions through orchestras collaboration with film, TV, games, pop and rock concerts.
The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) is the national body representing the collective interests of professional orchestras, youth ensembles and the wider classical music industry throughout the UK.
