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REGISTRATION AND LUNCH
Bridgehouse Ground and Lower Ground Floors, Bristol Beacon
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OFFICIAL OPENING
Beacon Hall, Bristol Beacon
Welcome speeches
Sophie Lewis, Chair, Association of British Orchestras & Chief Executive, National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain; Louise Mitchell, Chief Executive, Bristol Beacon; Philip Noyce, Managing Director, Classic FM
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YOUNG VOICES SPEAK OUT
Beacon Hall, Bristol Beacon
What are we hoping for from the arts world and what do we care about?
To open the 2024 conference, we hear from young musicians within ABO member organisations about the issues they care about most and their thoughts on how the arts world might respond, introduced by Judith Webster, Chief Executive of the Association of British Orchestras.
Panel discussion and Q&A with leading industry and political commentators in response
This panel discussion will kick off with Minister for the Arts, Lord Parkinson’s response to the challenges posed by the young musicians and audiences of tomorrow, with industry perspectives on how the arts sector might address the issues raised – from climate change, to mental health. What role can orchestras play…?
Speakers to include: Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts and Heritage and Department for Culture, Media and Sport Lords Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay; Dougie Scarfe, Chief Executive, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra; Sophie Lewis, Chair, Association of British Orchestras & Chief Executive, National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain; Louise Mitchell, Chief Executive, Bristol Beacon; Dougie Scarfe, Chief Executive, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra; Barry Farrimond-Chuong, Chief Executive, Open Up Music; and Musician and Broadcaster, Linton Stephens.
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NETWORKING BREAK
Bridgehouse Ground and Lower Ground Floors, Bristol Beacon
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BBC: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Beacon Hall, Bristol Beacon
What does the sector want from the BBC? How can the BBC support the UK orchestral ecology
Speakers to include Sam Jackson, Controller, BBC Radio 3
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CONFERENCE FIRST NIGHT RECEPTION
Lantern Hall, Bristol Beacon
Sponsored by British Council
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CONFERENCE FIRST NIGHT
The Bridgehouse, Bristol Beacon
The First Night of the conference will see a different approach than in previous years. We invite delegates to join us for an evening which will include an inspirational guest speaker, guided tours of the Bristol Beacon, live music and surprise ‘shout outs’ throughout the evening. We’ll be announcing the winners of the prestigious ABO Award, and the new ABO Classical Music Awards in partnership with Media Partner Classical Music Magazine, presented by ABO Principal Media Partner Classic FM. Delegates will be able to enjoy a range of up-market food stalls across two floors of the Bristol Beacon.
Guest speaker: sports journalist and commentator Mihir Bose.
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REGISTRATION OPENS
Bridgehouse Ground and Lower Ground Floors, Bristol Beacon
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OPENING SESSION
Beacon Hall, Bristol Beacon
What is the current state of the sector, and where do we go from here?
Headlines from the ABO’s Key Facts survey, presented by Chris Carey, Music data expert and Founder, FastForward & Chief Economist, LIVE; with Barbara Keeley MP, Shadow Minister for Music and Tourism and Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Classical Music, looking to the future.
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: DEEP DIVES
We invite delegates to choose between two Deep Dive sessions which will run concurrently and will delve into key issues the sector is currently grappling with. These bumper sessions will include presentations and provocations from a range of contrasting speakers and facilitated discussions, resulting in tangible actions and recommendations for impactful change.
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DEEP DIVE: Building the narrative for classical music
Lantern Hall, Bristol Beacon
How can we build the narrative we need for classical music to thrive?
in association with the Royal Philharmonic Society
It’s time to speak out like never before. Classical music is experiencing existential cutbacks that others feel are justified. How do we turn the tide? Advocacy isn’t just about lobbying. It’s how we all talk about and account for classical music in everything we do. As the ABO embarks on its new advocacy campaign, this deep dive invites you to discuss what’s working in the current classical narrative and what’s not. Several guest speakers will pose initial provocations, laying bare the complexities and pitfalls of advocating for classical music today. Then it’s over to you: together we will reflect on our current collective approach, define the values of music we need to emphasise better, and devise essential next steps to build the best possible case for the music we love.
Hosted by James Murphy, Chief Executive, Royal Philharmonic Society.
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DEEP DIVE: Shaping the future musical workforce
St George's Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RR
How can creativity help shape the future musical workforce?
in association with the Royal Northern College of Music
‘Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself’ – Leo Tolstoy
Collaboration across Conservatoires and the music profession has great potential for further development. Join this deep dive discussion that will propose a deeper collaboration and mutual understanding between higher education and the music profession, to explore creative collaborative solutions to some of the knottiest challenges the music world faces, and really empower the next generation of musicians and music leaders.
Hosted by Manus Carey, Deputy Principal, Royal Northern College of Music and Linda Merrick, Principal, Royal Northern College of Music
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NETWORKING BREAK
Bridgehouse Ground and Lower Ground Floors, Bristol Beacon
and
Café, St George's Bristol
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: DEEP DIVES - Part 2
Facilitated table discussions after the coffee break, which come together in actions, recommendations or statements for further dissemination.
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LUNCH
Bridgehouse Ground and Lower Ground Floors, Bristol Beacon
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: PLACE MAKING and collaboration beyond the music silo
Bristol Beacon
Are music organisations reaching out to help create and sustain a vibrant cultural ecology in their area?
Speakers to include: Sarah Derbyshire, Chief Executive, Orchestras Live; Jo Towler, Chief Executive, Music in the Round; Rebecca Maddox, Head of Business Development (culture), Sheffield City Council; Sara Unwin, Head of Cultural Engagement, University of Sheffield and Nicola Dixon, Arts Development Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: AI and collaborating in the digital space
Bristol Beacon
Elena Dubinets, Artistic Director, London Philharmonic Orchestra, convenes a conversation on the artistic and organisational challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Speakers to include Ewa Bogusz-Moore, General and Programme Director, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and composer and researcher, Robert Laidlow.
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: A collaborative approach to EDI development in Scotland
Bristol Beacon
Creative Scotland and Chamber Music Scotland share how their funding model empowers individuals and organisations to move EDI conversations forwards.
Speakers to include, Paul Tracey, Chief Executive, Chamber Music Scotland; violinist Katrina Lee; Neil Fox, Director of Engagement, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland; and Catherine Ferrell, General Manager, Scottish Ensemble.
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NETWORKING BREAK
Bridgehouse Ground and Lower Ground Floors, Bristol Beacon
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: Organisational change for inclusion
Bristol Beacon
Overcoming a lack of diversity in organisations is not just a ‘recruitment’ issue. Creative solutions to changing the sector for the better involve everything from opening up who is at the table to core mission and values.
Speakers to include: Rowan Rutter, Chief Executive Officer, City of London Sinfonia, Elise Brown, Director, Revere Arts; Nathan Holder, Professor of Music, Royal Northern College of Music and Bill Chandler, Director, BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus.
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: Creating conditions for performers to thrive
Bristol Beacon
In association with Help Musicians
This session will explore orchestral musicians’ perspectives on their wellbeing using data from the first ever Musicians' Census and the practical approaches that can be taken to help performers thrive.
Speakers to include: Kate Lidbetter, Chief Executive Officer, Symphony Services Australia; Laurie Oliva, Director of Musicians' Services, Help Musicians; Peter Garden, Executive Director, Performance and Learning, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; Claire Cordeaux, Chief Executive, British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM).
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: GOVERNANCE – multiple voices make good decisions: making it meaningful
Bristol Beacon
Inclusive models of governance, with a spotlight on engaging youth voice and how that impacts on decision making.
Speakers to include: Lucy Galliard, Chief Executive, Sinfonia Viva; Gavin Reid, Chief Executive, Scottish Chamber Orchestra; members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra Youth Assembly and Orchestras For All.
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THURSDAY NIGHT DOUBLE BILL
On the second evening of the Conference, we invite delegates to enjoy a very special performance double bill, followed by drinks and food in the Terrace Bar.
If you would like to attend any of the Thursday evening events, please add a ticket for £20 when booking your place at the Conference.
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DOUBLE BILL: PRE-CONCERT FIRESIDE CHAT
The Lantern, Bristol Beacon
We are delighted to present a fireside chat between the incoming Chair of Bristol Beacon and celebrated presenter, Jonathan Dimbleby and Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire MP.
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DOUBLE BILL: THE ANATOMY OF THE ORCHESTRA: DRONE REFRACTIONS
Beacon Hall, Bristol Beacon
Walk amongst a 34-piece orchestra as they chart an immersive odyssey through drone
In The Anatomy of the Orchestra: Drone Refractions, Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra turn the orchestra inside-out, charting an immersive drone odyssey via some of Minimalism’s forebears and its greatest composers.
Find out more about the concert here.
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DOUBLE BILL: POST CONCERT RECEPTION
Terrace Bar, Bristol Beacon
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REGISTRATION OPENS
Bridgehouse Ground and Lower Ground Floors, Bristol Beacon
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: RECRUITMENT – Hiring and recruitment practice in UK orchestras
Bristol Beacon
An update on this area of the sector’s work in partnership with Black Lives in Music and the Musicians’ Union.
Speakers to include: Roger Wilson, Director of Operations, Black Lives in Music; Jo Laverty, National Organiser Orchestras, Musicians’ Union and Judith Webster, Chief Executive, Association of British Orchestras.
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: AUDIENCES – Insights, branding and the shift to digital
Bristol Beacon
How does the diversification of our output and business models impact on our branding and target audiences?
Speakers to include: Abigail Pogson, Managing Director, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music; Sarah Robertson, Communications and Special Projects Director, Bristol Beacon; Jocelyn Lightfoot, Chief Executive, London Chamber Orchestra and Jonathan Harper, Chief Executive, Paraorchestra.
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: SUSTAINABILITY – In the round: sustainability in the orchestral sector and beyond
Bristol Beacon
An in-depth consideration of the factors at play in sustainability issues in the classical and wider music industries, including touring, contracts, audience safety, venues and more.
Speakers to include: Jon Collins, Chief Executive, LIVE; Carol Scott, Principle Advocate for Sustainability, TAIT and Sorcha Coller, Senior Project Manager, Askonas Holt.
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NETWORKING BREAK
Bridgehouse Ground and Lower Ground Floors, Bristol Beacon
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CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: ABO and Musicians' Union
Beacon Hall, Bristol Beacon
Navigating change, together
In challenging times, it is essential that we seek out creative solutions that benefit us all, tackling culture change and the infamous player/manager divide as a route to better outcomes.
Speakers to include: Naomi Pohl, General Secretary, Musicians’ Union and Judith Webster, Chief Executive, Association of British Orchestras.
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LUNCH
Bridgehouse Ground and Lower Ground Floors, Bristol Beacon
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CLOSING SESSION – Keynote speaker
Beacon Hall, Bristol Beacon
Relevance, purpose and tackling system change - perspectives from another world
Ewan Hilton, Chief Executive, Platfform
We will also hear closing remarks from ABO Chair Sophie Lewis and ABO Chief Executive Judith Webster, and finish with an invitation to delegates to the 2025 Conference.