(l-r. Halle Youth Orchestra 2023 c. Naomi Benn; National Youth Orchestras of Scotland c. Sally Jubb)

This summer, the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) is championing the impactful live music making activities delivered by its member orchestras as part of the #AnOrchestrainEverySchool initiative. When schools are closed for the summer, many children and young people will be without access to formal music making opportunities – but the music carries on beyond school. The ABO and its member orchestras, in collaboration with teachers and music educators, want to make sure that music opportunities are available for all children and young people throughout the year.

#AnOrchestrainEverySchool aims to enable access to live music making in all schools for all children. As part of the initiative UK orchestras and ensembles, in collaboration with music education providers , have set out to deliver over a thousand music making opportunities in 2025, with the aim of giving over one million children and young people the opportunity to experience the joy and power of live music, no matter their school resources, abilities or disability.

All across the UK, ABO members are running events for children and young people during the school summer holidays. From interactive performances and workshops, to the CBeebies Proms and residential courses for youth orchestras, there is something for everyone.

The Association of British Orchestras’ Chief Executive, Judith Webster, says: “While schools are out for the summer, a huge programme of holiday music making activities kicks into gear all over the country. We want all young people to be able to take part in or experience live music making, whatever music they are into and UK orchestras play an important part in providing that experience, along with dedicated grass roots music education providers UK-wide. The benefits for young people are widely documented but access is limited. Orchestras offer a huge range of activities throughout the year, from public concerts and open access events for families with no previous experience to youth orchestras for advanced instrumentalists. This summer, we want to celebrate the ‘out of school’ music activities that complement and enhance the vital music making in schools.”

Kirsteen Davidson Kelly, CEO and Artistic Director of the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, says: “Youth orchestras are a vital part of the UK’s musical ecosystem, offering young musicians the chance to collaborate, grow, and create breathtaking music. They help young people from all backgrounds discover the joy of making music together, building skills, confidence, resilience, and connections that can shape their future – on and off the stage. We understand the challenges children and young people face with limited opportunities to participate in live music making and believe youth orchestras are a vital way of supporting music talent and strengthening our industry for future generations.”

Naomi Benn, Hallé Connect Director at The Hallé in Manchester says: “Being part of a youth orchestra is one of the most uplifting feelings – similar to a football team, or any team sport, every player has a role that is respected and vital to the overall collective success of the team. There is nothing quite like the challenge of embarking on new pieces of music together, learning not only the notes, but also the feelings the composer was trying to convey, and developing a shared vision as to how that music should be performed for audiences. This process creates an inclusive and supportive environment, and ultimately a huge sense of collective achievement.

Touring is such a wonderful element of youth ensemble membership, and the joy of exploring new cultures together somehow brings a greater depth to the music, which can be heard and felt by the audience. It also creates life-long memories and friendships, and contributes hugely to young musicians’ confidence and wellbeing. Tours involve a lot of work behind the scenes, but for me it is always worth it, and a privilege to witness the positive impact of touring for our youth members.”

There is lots going on for children and young people in your region, with some highlights below. You can visit https://abo.org.uk/what-we-do/championing/anorchestraineveryschool to find your nearest ABO member orchestra and discover more about their summer activity.

London

• Sinfonia Smith Square in Westminster will be performing A Magical Bedtime Story as part of BBC Proms on Monday 25 August. More info here

• Multi-Story Orchestra in London to perform a concert 'Love in Many Forms' on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 August at Bold Tendencies, Peckham. More info here

• Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London to celebrate A Night at the Movies in a special concert on Sunday 31 August in Battersea. More info here

Midlands

• English Symphony Orchestra Youth (ESO Youth) in Bromsgrove (Worcestershire) will be performing their End of Course Concert at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Friday 22 August at 7:00pm. More info here.

North East

• Opera North in Leeds to host Opera North Summer Side by Side on Wednesday 27 August at 10am – 3:30pm at Howard Opera Centre. More info here

• The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Newcastle to host a workshop for families featuring singing, instruments and puppets on Sunday 27 July. More info here

• Royal Northern Sinfonia in Gateshead will be joined by CBeebies friends for a Wildlife Jamboree, as part of BBC Proms, on Sunday 27 July. More info here.

North West

• Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester will organise several events including:
  • Leo the Lion at Lake District Summer Music Festival on Sunday 3 August between 11:30am – 12:15pm. More info here
  • Found in the Forest at Lake District Summer Music Festival on Tuesday 5 August. More info here

• Percussionists from Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company and In Harmony join the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to perform in their Prom on Thursday 7 August 2025 at Royal Albert Hall (London). More info here

• Hallé Concerts Society in Manchester to host Hallé Musical Stars for early years families on Monday 4 August and Monday 18 August at St Michaels. More info here

Northern Ireland

• Ulster Youth Orchestra in Northern Ireland will host a summer concert following youth ensemble residential course on Friday 15 August at Guildhall, Derry and on Saturday 16 August at Ulster Hall, Belfast. More info here

Scotland

• National Youth Orchestras of Scotland in Scotland will be performing a Summer Tour that ends in Berlin for their first international appearance in ten years. Tickets for U18s are FREE. UK locations include:
  • Perth Concert Hall, Perth on Friday 1 August, more info here
  • Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool on Saturday 2 August, more info here
  • Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden on Sunday 3 August, more info here
  • Konzerthaus, Berlin on Wednesday 6 August. The concert will be streamed live on ARTE CONCERT and will be available in the media centre afterwards: arte.tv/concert

• Children’s Classic Concerts in Glasgow are showing ‘Django’s Journey’, a 30 minute concert film exploring the music of Django Reinhardt combining music and puppetry. This is free to watch and can be found here.

South East

• Chineke! in London to host Chineke! Junior Orchestra Summer Concert celebrating Chineke!'s 10th anniversary on Saturday 23 August at Fairfield Halls, Croydon. More info here

South West

• National Children’s Orchestras in Bristol to host several events including:

• There’s No Planet B Summer Concert where 12 and 13 year olds present their concert at Bridgewater Place in Manchester on Saturday 2 August. More info here

• Lights, Camera, Action concert where 13 and 14 year olds present their winter showcase at Bristol Beacon on Sunday 10 August. More info here

• Spellbound concert where 11 and 12 year olds present to their Spellbound programme at Portsmouth Guildhall on Sunday 17 August. More info here

• Wells Cathedral School in Somerset will be hosting several events including
  • International Wind, Brass and Percussion summer school for 10-18 year olds to develop their skills and confidence, to take place on Sunday 27 July – Saturday 2 August. More info here
  • International Jazz Summer School for 13-18 year olds to develop their jazz and improvisation skills, to take place on Sunday 3 August – Friday 8 August. More info here
  • International Strings Music Summer School for 10 to 18 year olds to develop their skills and confidence, to take place on Sunday 10 August – Saturday 16 August. More info here
  • International Vocal Summer School for young soloists preparing to embark on study at music conservatoires (16-19 year olds). More info here
  • International Songwriting Summer School for people with a basic ability to play their instrument and/or sing, to take place on Sunday 17 August – Saturday 24 August. More info here

• As part of the Whitchurch Children’s Festival, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will be performing Curious Creatures & the Natural World on Saturday 26 July. More info here

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