Association of British Orchestras

The ABO represents the collective interests of professional orchestras, youth ensembles and the wider classical music industry throughout the UK.

Join ABO today Members area

Connecting

The ABO connects member to member and the wider industry through networking opportunities, keeping them well-informed and up-to-date with best practice to help build resilience and financial sustainability

Championing

The ABO champions British orchestras and the wider membership, raising their profile and influence with key stakeholders and the British public, through political engagement, media, social networks and stakeholder bulletins.

Developing

The ABO helps develop the skills and knowledge of its members’ staff, including providing and signposting to high quality professional development opportunities for all tiers of management and musicians.

2021 ABO Conference now open for bookings

Our annual conference will take place from Wednesday 10 March – Friday 12 March 2021.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE - Friday 15 January

Our latest communication to members was sent out on Friday 15 January. If you did not receive this, a copy can be found in the Advice and Factsheets section of the Members Area along with other resources that members may find useful during this time.

Black Lives Matter

The ABO stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and against all forms of discrimination, injustice and inequality. We recognise the lack of diversity in UK orchestras and, working hand in hand with Arts Council England’s Diversity in Classical Music project, acknowledge the enormous amount of work which needs to be done. We believe fundamentally in supporting and promoting positive, meaningful change in our industry, society and the wider world. We pledge to be more attentive, to do better and to foster a space where everyone is both seen and heard. In doing so we strive for an orchestral sector that is without fear of prejudice or exclusion and that is fully inclusive, representative and reflective of the communities that we serve.

News and press

AFTERSHOCK: 2021 ABO Conference

The annual Association of British Orchestras Conference, the UK’s leading classical music forum, will take place online from Wednesday 10 March – Friday 12 March 2021. With Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station, as Principal Media Partner, Classical Music as Online Media Partner, Help Musicians as Charity Partner and the British Council as International Partner, the conference will bring together speakers, panellists and delegates from across the UK and abroad to examine the critical issues facing the classical music sector and to discuss the support and innovation needed to forge an ambitious and sustainable future for the industry. Find out more and book here.

Free Trade Agreement – Key Issues

The ABO has published a briefing outlining the key issues affecting the UK’s orchestral sector following publication of the EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement.

ABO recruits for new Board Members

Are you passionate about orchestral music? Keen to use your professional skills to make a difference? Could you help orchestras to reach a wider and more diverse audience? Would you like to work with others to evolve an art form and the way it connects with society? The Association of British Orchestras (ABO), the representative body for the UK’s orchestral sector, is recruiting new Co-opted Board members. It is actively looking to welcome a diverse range of talents, fresh thinking and lived experience that is representative of the UK communities orchestras connect with to join its dynamic Board. Co-opted board members are appointed by the Board to bring skills and expertise from outside the ABO’s core membership.

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