Announced today (Tuesday 30 November 2021), the annual Association of British Orchestras (ABO) Conference, the UK’s leading classical music forum, will take place in-person and online from Wednesday 09 February – Friday 11 February 2022 in Glasgow hosted by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Nominations for the annual ABO/Classical Music industry awards are now open until 5pm on Friday 10 December 2021, inviting managers in the orchestral sector to celebrate the achievements of colleagues across orchestras, concert halls and artist management during what has been a challenging year for the UK’s orchestras and their musicians. For further information on how to submit nominations, click here.
Today (Thursday 21 October 2021), the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) is delighted to announce the new participants on its Find Your Way professional development course for 2021-22, with support from Help Musicians, The Vernon Ellis Foundation and the ABO Trust. Find Your Way is a transformative professional development leadership programme for senior and emerging managers in orchestras and classical music organisations who aspire to leadership. It offers participants to look boldly to the future, to examine, broaden and improve on current practice for the long-term benefit of the sector. The 9-month programme, starting in October 2021, offers professional development based around a tailored ‘Individual Development Plan’ co-developed with an experienced coach.
Today (Wednesday 13 October 2021), the ABO has announced the fifth round of grants from the Sirens Fund awarded to orchestras performing music by historic women composers from around the world. This year, funds have been awarded to six orchestras – The Hallé, Nevis Ensemble, Royal College of Music, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, National Orchestra for All and Ulster Orchestra. The composers championed through these grant-winning organisations include Florence Price, Grace Williams, Mary Lou Williams, Grażyna Bacewicz and Augusta Holmés.
The ABO and British Council have joined forces in an International Mentoring Programme. The scheme, delivered by the ABO, is designed to benefit the next generation of emerging leaders of orchestras. We are delighted to have chosen four ambitious individuals who are keen to create international networks for the future and want to learn more about working with the UK. The selected participants have been paired with senior figures from the UK orchestral sector to develop their knowledge and expertise, and to enable the creation of new links between international peers.
As the Association of British Orchestra Conference comes to a close today (12 March), the industry body has announced the recipient of its annual ABO Award and the winners of the 2021 ABO/Classical Music Awards, celebrating the achievements of colleagues across the sector during what has been an incredibly challenging year.
The conference theme of 'AFTERSHOCK' includes sessions on COVID recovery, Brexit, and inequity.
Orchestras in Healthcare, a brand new report published today offers the first comprehensive picture of the creative and financial contribution made by professional orchestras to the health, wellbeing and social care sectors across the UK.
For press enquiries please contact Hanna, ABO's Head of Policy and Communications.