Teachers and music leaders can run their own mini orchestras with Orchestras For All’s Modulo Programme!

Orchestras for All (OFA) is delighted to announce that it is now recruiting young people, schools and local community groups for two of its flagship programmes: National Orchestra for All (NOFA) and the Modulo Programme.

Whether a young person is an experienced player or just getting started on their musical journey, OFA welcomes all young people to join its vibrant community and enjoy its life-changing activities.

NOFA violinist, Freya, said: “I think you should join NOFA because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you’ll never want to leave! It gives you a new outlook on other people and instruments, and it’s something you can’t get anywhere else.”

NOFA is an inclusive, non-auditioned national youth orchestra bringing together an inspiring group of around 100 young people aged 11-19 from across the UK, regardless of their background – musical ability or choice of instrument – for a two-year season of group music-making.

The orchestra performs all types of music, from popular songs to classical works, film music to jazz, video game soundtracks to dance anthems as well as world music. Members also create their own pieces with professional composers.

To ensure that cost is not a barrier to participating, OFA covers everything young people need to join NOFA, including their food, travel, accommodation and tuition.

During NOFA’s 2023-2024 season, members were able to enjoy a wide range of workshops, social activities, youth leadership initiatives and colourful concerts, defined by the powerful theme: ‘Sounds of Change‘. NOFA had the opportunity to perform at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and CBSO Centre, all the while supported by an expert team of 10 Ambassadors and orchestral and wellbeing tutors.

Chosen in collaboration with the young people OFA works with, NOFA repertoire included an eclectic mix of works that celebrated diversity and challenged the status quo, from ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials to Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 in E minor.

In the Modulo Programme, OFA supports teachers and music leaders in schools and local community groups to set up and run their own mini orchestras, known as Modulos. They receive all the music and resources they need to create an inclusive, accessible and high-quality musical experience for young people.

A Modulo participant commented: “I love Modulo because the people here are super nice and they’ll help you no matter what skill level you are.”

Throughout the year, Modulos from different parts of the UK come together to perform as one large-scale orchestra at Modulo Meets, culminating in an energising showcase of group music-making, with summer concerts open to the public.

In 2024, 250 young musicians from 30 schools and community groups joined OFA at leading arts venues in London, Birmingham, Manchester and York for its eight Modulo Meets, with 19 new Modulo ensembles established.

OFA also held 20 in-person workshops for Modulo, created visual scores to make its resources more inclusive, launched a new digital hub for Modulo leaders to access their resources more easily and worked with the first Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) school to join the programme.

By signing up for National Orchestra for All and Modulo, young people and music leaders will have the opportunity to join a national movement, support OFA in breaking down barriers to music-making as well as receive expert training and mentorship from professional musicians and educators, with health and wellbeing at the forefront of all activity.

Applications for NOFA must be submitted by 6.00pm on 4 November 2024. Those who would like to participate in Modulo with their school or community group must complete the application form by 6.00pm on 5 November 2024.

To learn more about the application process, click here.