Nominations open for Refreshed 2024 ABO Classical Music Awards

As the representative body for the UK’s orchestras and the wider music ecology around them, each year the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) celebrates the dedication, inspiration and achievements of the people who work in our sector through the annual ABO Classical Music Awards, in partnership with Classical Music.

We want to celebrate the people who make the UK classical music sector brilliant – whatever their role, or team. This is your moment!

From 2024, the ABO Classical Music Awards will take a new form.

Instead of being linked to specific management roles, we are seeking nominations for individuals or groups of individuals from within the ABO membership whose work, particular project or initiative demonstrates inspiration, innovation or collaboration within any of the ABO’s priority areas: Equity, diversity and inclusion; Learning and development; Green orchestras; Health and wellbeing; and Innovation and digital.   

Previously, the ABO Classical Music Awards were offered to Orchestra Manager of the Year, Concert Hall Manager of the Year and Artist Manager of the Year.

This year there will be three awards presented at the ABO Annual Conference, taking place in January 2024 in Bristol, and as previously, these will not reward on-stage performance.

The refresh of the ABO Classical Music Awards was undertaken by a working group representative of the sector, including James Murphy, CEO Royal Philharmonic Society; Dougie Scarfe, CEO Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra; Annie Lydford, CEO Academy of St Martin in the Fields; Sooree Pillay, Regional Producer, Midlands, Orchestras Live; Sophie Lewis, ABO Chair and National Children's Orchestras; Chris Loughran, ABO Board member; Judith Webster, ABO CEO; and Classical Music.

The new awards complement the prestigious ABO Award and the Orchestral Musician Award with the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS).

Click here to see more detail on the criteria and how to nominate.