Association of British Orchestras

News & Press

GENERAL ELECTION 2019

The ABO has published guidance for its members on how to encourage their local candidates to give assurances that, should they be elected, they will work to support the UK orchestral sector over the next Parliament. It has also written to the leaders of the three main political parties in the UK, outlining the key issues it wants the new Government to deal with after the General Election on 12 December.

ABO launches Annual Conference in Manchester, 29 -31 January 2020

The ABO Annual Conference is now open for booking. To find out more please view the press release below

ABO announces new cohort of participants on ground-breaking leadership programme ‘Find Your Way’ with support from Help Musicians and the ABO Trust

The ABO has announced it's new cohort of participants on ground-breaking leadership programme ‘Find Your Way’ with support from Help Musicians and the ABO Trust

No Deal Brexit

The ABO has held two No Deal Brexit workshops in London and Manchester to help its members Get Ready for Brexit and held an Immigration Webinar with Alison Hunter of Wesley Gryk. We urge members to look at the ABO’s No Deal Brexit factsheet and view this short video on how to prepare for touring into the EU after a No Deal Brexit.

ABO welcomes new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

The ABO Director has written to the Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP to welcome her appointment as Secretary of State at DCMS and urge her to be a strong advocate for our world-leading orchestras.

Open Letter To The Conservative Party Leadership Candidates

The ABO has published an open letter to the two Conservative Party leadership candidates, outlining the key issues it would like the winning candidate to address once they become Prime Minister.

RPS/ABO Salomon Prize 2019

Janet Fulton, Principal Percussionist of Manchester Camerata, has been awarded the prestigious Salomon Prize, presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Association of British Orchestras.

New Resonate Pieces Announced

PRS Foundation announces the 10 UK orchestras being supported through the third round of Resonate, a partnership with the Association of British Orchestras and BBC Radio 3, which champions outstanding pieces of British orchestral music from the past 25 years and aims to inspire more performances, recordings and broadcasts of these works.

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 London,
hosted by The Southbank Centre, from 4-6 February 2026
.