‘Key Facts: The State of the UK’s Orchestras April 2025 Report’, an update on key statistics for the UK orchestral sector last delivered in 2019, highlights a cultural success story, both domestically and internationally. Derived from a survey of Association of British Orchestras (ABO) members, the report illustrates how orchestras have emerged from a period of major economic strain, reaching broader audiences both nationally and internationally, expanding their digital presence, and diversifying income streams.

This latest report also shows that UK orchestras have effectively utilised essential public investment to explore new markets and maintain—or in some cases, increase—the frequency and variety of their education and outreach performances. ABO members continue to play a crucial role in providing transformative classical music experiences for hundreds of thousands of children, young people, and adults, both in concert halls and in communities across the UK.

ABO CEO Judith Webster said: “This snapshot of sector trends since 2019 shows the resilience and agility of UK orchestras, as they have come through a period of unprecedented economic challenges. Naturally, we expected to see the impacts of major events, including Covid, Brexit and the cost of living crisis in the latest data, consistent with wider arts sector trends, but there are clear signs of hope. UK orchestras have been successful in diversifying income, expanding their reach and giving more children and young people than ever the opportunity to experience live music making.”

“Challenges clearly remain. Maintaining core funding, measures to support international touring and investment in music education are all critical factors for the future growth of our sector.”

Headline results from the survey show:

• The number of events dedicated to giving children and young people unique opportunities to listen to or perform music, being delivered by UK orchestras across the country has nearly tripled since 2019.

• Nearly 4% increase in the number of children and young people attending and taking part in education and outreach performances, workshops and school concerts.

• A 127% increase on 2019 in recordings and broadcasts for film, TV, and audio-visual streaming or downloads, with an estimated reach of 67.6 million listeners in the UK and 235.8 million internationally.

• UK orchestras staged nearly 3,000 concerts and performances across the country, reaching a combined audience of more than 3.1 million people, despite the impact of the pandemic and cost of living crisis on audience trends.

• UK orchestras visited 34 countries and gave 374 performances, reaching an audience of over 640,000 people outside the UK, reinforcing the international prominence and prestige of British orchestras. Europe continues to be our biggest international market.

The report also surveyed, for the first time, trends in UK Orchestras’ work to improve Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and their environmental policies.

Whilst there is more to be done, orchestras are making notable strides in these areas. 90% are working to diversify their programming through initiatives such as composer and young artist schemes. Additionally, 96% are actively seeking ways to increase opportunities for young people, especially from underrepresented communities, to engage with music. An impressive 88% have collaborated with local community groups to reach more diverse audiences. The majority of respondents are also taking significant steps toward addressing environmental concerns.

Note to editors

• The ABO is the national body representing the collective interests of professional orchestras, youth ensembles and the wider classical music industry throughout the UK. We represent 200 Full and Associate member orchestras ranging from well-known symphony orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Scottish National Orchestra to chamber orchestras such as the Royal Northern Sinfonia, as well as the orchestras of opera and ballet companies, including the Royal Opera House and conservatoires and national youth orchestras.

• Between January and March 2024, the ABO conducted a survey of the UK’s professional orchestras to gather data on their activities, audiences, financials, and musicians. The survey relates to the season/financial year 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023 (or closest equivalent 12-month period). The survey deliberately relates to the 2022/23 financial period, in order to capture the impacts of the unique set of challenges posed by the pandemic, and to provide a benchmark against which the sector’s recovery can be measured in future surveys. A total of 53 out of 85 member orchestras responded – up from 44 orchestras who took part in 2019. The 2025 report cohort is similar in make up to the 2019 responses. While % comparisons have been made between cohorts the impact of the pandemic means that data might not be directly comparable.

For further information, please contact Hanna Madalska-Gayer, ABO Head of Policy and Communications, at hanna@abo.org.uk.