Association of British Orchestras

News & Press

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.

ABO CEO Judith Webster in Classical Music

As the Association of British Orchestras’ new chief executive Judith Webster settles into her role, she sets forth her vision for the ways the ABO will support the UK’s orchestral sector going forward in Classical Music.

ABO responds to BBC decision to suspend BBC Singers closure

The Association of British Orchestras has welcomed the BBC’s decision to suspend the proposal to close the celebrated BBC Singers.

ABO Welcomes Spring Budget 2023

Today, the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) welcomed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s decision to extend the uplifted rate of Orchestra Tax Relief by a further two years, announced in the Spring Budget 2023.

BBC Strategy Review - ABO Statement

The Association of British Orchestras has today (Thursday 9th March 2023) set out a statement in response to the BBC’s announcement of its new strategy, following the 2022 BBC Classical Review.

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.