Fiona Simpson
Friday, December 12, 2025
More than three-quarters of UK adults say it is important for British orchestras to provide live music-making opportunities for children and young people, through youth orchestras, after-school programmes and group music activities
A survey of 2,050 adults conducted by Opinium, on behalf of the Association of British Orchestras (ABO), found that a quarter of 18- to 43-year-olds support increased investment by the government in music education in schools.
In addition, half of all respondents to the survey believe that cutting opportunities for live music-making for children and young people could limit their potential.
The results echo that of a recent Royal Philharmonic Orchestra survey which found that that 80% of UK adults want to see more government support for the arts.
The ABO’s research, carried out as part of its An Orchestra In Every School campaign, also identified a growing trend of younger audiences engaging with classical music. Three quarters of 18- to 43-year-olds asked said that listening to or participating in classical music can have a positive impact on the development of transferable skills, compared with 52% of those aged over 65.
Of all those who took part in the survey, six in 10 agreed that access to classical music can provide a benefit through taking part in health and wellbeing initiatives in local communities.
Through the An Orchestra in Every School initiative, the ABO and its members pledged to deliver more than 1,000 live music-making opportunities this year, reaching more than one million children.
Judith Webster, ABO chief executive, said: ‘It is encouraging to see how many of the younger generations feel so positively about the impact access to live music-making in schools can have on children and young people.
‘It is clear that young people believe there is real value in having a music education, and that they recognise the benefits it offers, including the development of important life-skills.’
Find out more about An Orchestra in Every School, access free resources linked to the campaign and find your nearest ABO member orchestra at: abo.org.uk/what-we-do/championing/anorchestraineveryschool
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