ABO goes digital for 2021 conference

Classical-music.uk is proud to be the conference's online media partner, alongside Classic FM as principal media partner, Help Musicians as charity partner and the British Council as international partner.

The conference will bring together speakers, panellists and delegates from across the UK and abroad to examine the critical issues facing the classical music sector and to discuss the support and innovation needed to forge an ambitious and sustainable future for the industry.

This year, the theme will be 'Aftershock', and discussions will delve into the seismic issues that the sector has faced this year - from Covid-19, to Brexit, the climate change crisis and Black Lives Matter.

For the first time, the opening day of the conference will be free to attend for musicians, hosted in partnership with Help Musicians.

Speakers will include Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister of State for Digital & Culture; the Chair of Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota; Controller of BBC Radio 3 and Classical Music, Alan Davey, and the British Council’s Director of Music, Cathy Graham OBE.

The conference will also explore the UK's mixed economy model for arts funding, the sustainability of orchestras' reliance on international touring, the opportunities and challenges of digital performance, classical music's role with the UK's health, wellbeing and social care economy, and the need for orchestras to reflect the communities they serve.

Mark Pemberton, Director, Association of British Orchestras said: 'Now more than ever we need to bring together all those involved in orchestral music, managers and musicians, to reflect on the challenges we have faced this past year and look ahead to how we rebuild. A year’s shutdown of the sector has stretched its fragile business model as never before, and has fallen particularly hard on freelance musicians, many of whom have faced a complete loss of income. We are grateful to our partners for showing their support for the ABO and its members, and hope the conference will provide a bridge to a more secure future.'

Nominations are still open for the long-standing ABO/Classical Music Awards presented in partnership with the ABO’s Online Media Partner Classical Music which will be announced at the conference alongside the annual ABO Award. An opportunity to champion those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, ABO members are encouraged to nominate colleagues who have gone above and beyond to bring music to audiences and into our communities whilst the industry continues to navigate the unprecedented and critical impact of the pandemic. For more details visit abo.org.uk.

The ABO Conference is open to members and non-members. For further information on the schedule and how to purchase online tickets, visit www.abo.org.uk.