I was delighted to attend and exhibit at the annual conference of the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) in London with our Marketing Manager, Lauren Culver, on behalf of Musicians’ Hearing Services. Bringing together the classical music industry in the UK, the conference hosted more than 300 delegates, including orchestras from the UK and overseas, as well as venues, agents, publishers, and suppliers. The event provided a fantastic opportunity for us to engage directly with the orchestral community, foster meaningful connections, and raise awareness about hearing health for musicians.
Exhibiting at the ABO Marketplace
At the heart of the conference was the ABO Marketplace, where we met delegates, answered questions, and showcased everything Musicians’ Hearing Services does to support musicians’ hearing. We exhibited alongside Air-Edel, Sottovoce, John Good Ltd, Learning for Good, Musica Baltica, Carnegie Hall, RATstands, Classical Music Magazine, and Operabase.
It was wonderful to connect with so many individuals and organisations who care just as much as we do about hearing health in the music industry. The Marketplace offered a lively and inspiring space to exchange ideas and explore how we can better support musicians’ wellbeing across the UK.
Sessions and Speakers
The conference opened with welcome speeches from Sophie Lewis, Mark Ball, and Judith Webster, setting the tone for thoughtful discussions across the sector.
Highlights of the sessions included:
- Vision, Mission, Purpose – Led by Sophie Lewis with insights from Anthony Roth Costanzo, exploring how orchestras define their purpose beyond survival.
- What Does Your Mission Say About You? – Thorben Dittes quizzed sector volunteers including Andrew Burke, Emma Stenning, Catherine Arlidge, and Rory Jeffes on aligning mission with social impact, business models, and daily operations.
- Deep Dive: Who Calls the Shots? – Facilitated by Toks Dada, Thorben Dittes, and Kate Whitley, examining artistic decision-making models and their impact on audiences.
- Creative Health – Chaired by Thahmina Begum, with Laura Waters, Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Dr Simon Opher MP, Fiona Lambert, and Alex Brierley, exploring how orchestras transform lives through health and wellbeing initiatives.
- Education – Supported by Carnegie Hall’s Link Up programme and chaired by Sophie Lewis, featuring Dame Rachel de Souza, Dr Adam Whittaker, Dr Anthony Anderson, and Jillian Barker, reflecting on the orchestral sector’s role in UK music education.
- Politics & Polarisation – Chaired by Sarah Bardwell, with Rachel van Walsum, Jessica Duchen, Simon Webb, and Katy Hamilton, discussing orchestras navigating politically charged programming and public response.
- Devolution – Led by Professor Katy Shaw, alongside Dougie Scarfe, Fran Hegyi, Claire Mera-Nelson, and Mat Flynn, examining how regional decision-making shapes the arts sector.
- Question Time – Chaired by Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, featuring Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Baroness Barbara Keeley, Anna Sabine MP, Dame Kathryn McDowell, and Elaine Bedell, fielding audience questions on key sector issues.
- The Orchestral Future: AI for Culture – Led by Jocelyn Burnham, exploring opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in orchestras.
- Environmental Sustainability – Chaired by Nick Jackman, with James Hardie, Katie Sterland, and Katy Raines, discussing how orchestras can act purposefully on climate issues.
- Classical Cut Through & Digital Engagement – Dr Sarah Price led this session with Maddy Shaw-Roberts, George Chambers, Hannah Fiddy, and Katy Rogers-Davies, sharing strategies to remain relevant in the digital landscape.
- Power Sharing & Inclusion – Facilitated by Kate Whitley, with Anne Torreggiani and Euella Jackson, focusing on inclusive leadership and broadening voices in orchestras.
- Creating Orchestral Theatre – Aurora Orchestra’s team, including Jane Mitchell, Jessie Maryon-Davies, Kate Wakeling, and musicians from the orchestra, demonstrated production processes and designing performances for diverse audiences.
Looking Ahead
Exhibiting at the ABO Conference reinforced for me just how collaborative and forward-thinking the classical music sector is. We look forward to continuing these conversations and supporting orchestras across the UK through Musicians’ Hearing Services, helping ensure the joy of music can be heard clearly, safely, and for years to come.
