The Orchestras Live team recently attended the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) Conference. Here are the team's biggest takeaways from sector leaders, orchestras, and industry professionals and the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

"In our separate organisations, we are fluent in advocacy, but the provocation was timely for the sector as a whole".

Sarah Derbyshire, Chief Executive

There was a salutary reminder that we must get better at speaking with one voice. Fragmentation weakens our case, particularly as new structures emerge across regions. Workforce development, curriculum influence, data-sharing and collaboration across organisations large and small are not optional extras; they are strategic necessities. Large organisations may be able to “change the dial”, but they must also protect and convene smaller partners to sustain a healthy ecosystem.

Read Sarah's full insights here.

"Fragmentation and the loss of a national, strategic overview is a very real risk as the picture becomes more complicated."

Nancy Buchanan, General Manager

So, what can we do? We must engage now with whoever might be leading the next administration in each new region and mitigate the risk of being dependent on any one person for our voice to be heard. We must integrate what we do into the fabric of the new structure before it becomes hardened – and make our partnership indispensable. Everyone at Orchestras Live needs to be fluent in what we do and why we do it – and be ready to have an impromptu conversation, telling the stories of the people those decision makers are there to represent.

Read Nancy's full insights here.

"Access to a rich and creative life should be universal, and it is our responsibility as sector leaders to help ensure that becomes a reality."

Charlotte Hartley, Regional Producer - East

The moment that has come back to me most in the days since the conference was Dame Rachel de Souza’s opening contribution to the Education panel. She emphasised that we cannot wait for government intervention to address the challenges facing our sector, particularly in music education. Instead, she urged us to work collectively and advocate more effectively for meaningful change. Access to a rich and creative life should be universal, and it is our responsibility as sector leaders to help ensure that becomes a reality.

Read Charlotte's full insights here.

"It delved into the structures of arts organisations, considering where power lies and why"

Sooree Pillay, Regional Producer - Midlands

A particularly insightful session explored artistic decision-making and examined who has the authority to make creative decisions — and who those decisions are ultimately made for. It also delved into the structures of arts organisations, considering where power lies and why. I came away with a clearer understanding of how differently organisations operate, a broader perspective on the complexities involved, and insight into alternative models we might draw on for inspiration.

Read Sooree's full insights here.