The Stage

UK orchestral sector sets out five-year plan

Published Saturday 13 March 2010 at 15:00 by Michael Quinn

The Association of British Orchestras has launched a “five-year vision” that calls upon the government to “value orchestras, fund us wisely, legislate supportively and make a real commitment to maintaining music education in schools”.

The 12-page manifesto, A Platform for Success, emphasises a commitment by the ABO’s more than 150 members to take “high quality music to more people than ever before”, to nurture new talent and to “push the boundaries” of digital platforms to attract new audiences. It also calls for the creation of a nationwide network of Centres for Orchestras by 2020 and demands guarantees on changes to the tax system to enhance private giving to the arts, on education, and enabling orchestras to be “an integral part” of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Launching the strategy, ABO chair and chief executive and artistic director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra Tim Walker said: “As a sector, we’ve made a number of open commitments, set out what we have achieved and what we can offer – now we’re urging our parliamentary and local authority representatives to keep backing us. The millions of people in Britain who already experience the value of their orchestras want to see the public subsidy we receive maintained. As a sector we prove year upon year that a little really can go a long way – and make a huge difference to individuals and communities across the country and abroad”.