Association of British Orchestras

News & Press

ABO Welcomes Permanent Extension to Higher Rate of Orchestra Tax Relief

The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) has strongly welcomed the permanent extension of the higher 45% rate of Orchestra Tax Relief, announced in today’s Spring Budget statement.

ABO Statement on Birmingham City Council Cuts

The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) has expressed deep concern at the recently announced Birmingham City Council cuts and the impact this will have on the cultural offer and associated, proven benefits of a thriving arts and music sector in Birmingham.

Louise Mitchell CBE, Chief Executive of the Bristol Beacon, Honoured at the Association of British Orchestras Awards 2024

Announced at a live event at the Bristol Beacon on the evening of Wednesday 24 January, the award ceremony also revealed the winners of the refreshed 2024 ABO Classical Music Awards, which celebrated the work of Scottish Ensemble, the Recruiting Classical consortium, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music & Health team and Manchester Camerata’s Principal Flute and Resident Music Therapist, Amina Hussain.

ABO Opens 2023/24 Round of ‘Sirens’ Grants to Promote Music of Historical Women

Today (14 December 2023), the ABO has opened the 2023/24 round of Sirens grants, awarded to orchestras performing music by historic women composers from around the world.

Creative Solutions: ABO Announces Annual Conference in Bristol 24 – 26 January 2024

The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) Annual Conference, the UK’s leading classical music forum, will come to Bristol on 24 – 26 January 2024. The sector will come together at this unmissable event, tackling the challenges of inclusive recruitment; emerging technologies; sustainability; and how we can shift the dial in the narrative around the impact and value of the work of British orchestras, on and off the concert platform.

Nominations open for 2024 ABO Classical Music Awards

Nominations for the annual ABO Classical Music industry awards are now open until 5pm on Friday 1 December 2023.

Sophie Lewis Confirmed as New ABO Chair

Following an inclusive and wide-ranging recruitment process, Sophie Lewis, CEO of the National Children's Orchestras, has been appointed Chair of the Association of British Orchestras (ABO), a key position in UK performing arts. The appointment takes immediate effect, as ABO Interim Chair Jenny Jamison resumes her role of Vice-Chair.

ABO Statement on Creative Scotland Budget Cut

The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) has expressed deep concern at the reinstatement of the 10% cut to Creative Scotland, announced by the Scottish Government.

Related information

For press enquiries please contact Hanna, ABO's Head of Policy and Communications.

View the ABO Bulletins

Annual Conference

The next ABO conference will take place in Gateshead,
hosted by The Glasshouse ICM, from 5-7 February 2025.