The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) annual conference will be hosted by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) when it comes to Bournemouth for three days in January 2017.
The UK’s leading classical music forum will bring together delegates from across the orchestral sector to discuss the conference theme of Disruption, with sessions on Diversity, Digital and Brexit.
“We’re delighted the BSO has chosen Bournemouth International Centre for the first ABO conference in Bournemouth,” says BH Live Director of Venues and Events, Pat Coyne. “The orchestra is a favourite with audiences at Bournemouth Pavilion where they perform regularly throughout the year. We can promise conference delegates a warm welcome and plenty of opportunity to sample Bournemouth’s unique brand of hospitality and cultural attractions.”
Over 350 delegates drawn from orchestras around the world, along with funding agencies, venues, agents, publishers and suppliers, will explore what disruption means for the orchestral sector. What potential disruptors are there to influence the diversity of orchestras and audiences? How can new technology revolutionise the orchestral experience? Are there completely new business models to explore? Is politics the ultimate disruptor?
“The disruption theme for this conference is a key driver of change in our sector,” says BSO Chief Executive Dougie Scarfe. “While some elements of what we do as an orchestra are timeless, and unchanging, the business model which underpins it has undergone radical transformation.”
A thought-provoking programme of informative sessions, led by expert guest speakers, will provide delegates with insight and plenty of opportunity for discussion. The BSO will be represented by Dougie Scarfe, who will be talking to Jeff Mostyn, Chairman of AFC Bournemouth to explore what the orchestral sector can learn from sport.
The BSO’s Head of Participation, Lisa Tregale, will examine the impact of funding changes in music education and also focus on the diversity challenge facing orchestras, following the call-to-action at last year’s conference by former Culture Minister Ed Vaizey.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is uniquely placed to host this discussion, as the only UK orchestra to have received Arts Council Change Makers funding for a bursary to support the career development mentorship of conductor James Rose. It is the only disability-led music project in the country to receive such funding. A core part of the BSO’s mission is to be accessible to as many people as possible and transform lives using music, through the Orchestra’s vibrant Participation and Learning programme, BSO Participate. BSO will spend 18 months mentoring James, giving him the opportunity to create, curate and direct a disabled-led ensemble. James will conduct the ensemble at inspiring performances and workshops throughout the region involving young people and adults with and without disabilities.
Delegates are also being invited to attend a dinner at the BSO’s home, Lighthouse – Poole’s Centre for the Arts, before enjoying a concert featuring Ukrainian violinist Valeriy Sokolov and conducted by Chief Conductor Kirill Karabits. In an interview with Classic FM presenter Anne-Marie Minhall, Kirill will be asked how the BSO is working to broaden its reach, relevance and repertoire.
The 2017 Conference will be held at Bournemouth International Centre from 25-27 January.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For more about BSO and the ABO Conference:
Esme James, Communications Manager, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
ejames@bsorchestra.co.uk
01202 644737/ 07860 776646
For further press information about Bournemouth International Centre:
Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive, BH Live
press.office@bhlive.org.uk
01202 055562
Image caption: Kirill Karabits and BSO
About Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO)
The BSO is one of the UK’s busiest orchestras, reaching around 5,000 concertgoers a week in 35 venues across 10,000 square miles of the UK. 2016 marks the orchestra’s 123rd consecutive year of bringing the highest quality live music to the south and southwest.
BSO’s Education and Participation programme aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their circumstances, has the opportunity to experience its world-class music. Working across the southwest region, the BSO organises a variety of activities from inspirational workshops in schools to special performances in care homes.
As a registered arts charity, BSO is increasingly reliant on the support of individuals, charitable trusts and companies. The income earned from ticket sales, commercial activity and grants from public funding sources helps the orchestra greatly and is increasingly invaluable in supporting BSO’s mission to enrich and inspire the cultural lives of many.
BBC Radio 3 is the BSO’s Principal Broadcast Partner and BSO is Classic FM’s Orchestra in the south of England.
About the Association of British Orchestras (ABO)
The ABO is the national body representing the collective interests of professional orchestras, youth ensembles and the wider classical music industry throughout the UK. The ABO’s mission is to enable and support an innovative, collaborative and sustainable orchestral sector by providing advice, support, intelligence and information to the people who make British orchestras a global success. Recent initiatives include Resonate, in association with PRS for Music and BBC Radio 3, which supports the best orchestral music of the last 25 years, and Find Your Way, which identifies and offers training to future sector leaders. The ABO campaigned successfully for Orchestra Tax Relief and continues to lobby for the sector at the highest levels.
About Bournemouth International Centre (BIC)
Bournemouth International Centre is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council. It is the south coast’s largest and most versatile event venue with multiple auditoria and licensed capacity for 10,000 delegates. The venue attracts major players in the public and private sector, bringing millions of pounds into the local economy through employment, business tourism and partner organisations. bhlive.org.uk/business
About Bournemouth Pavilion
Bournemouth Pavilion is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council. This Grade II listed, Art Deco venue has a 1500-seat theatre and large ballroom hosting musicals, opera, ballet, pantomime, comedy, gala dinners, banquets, receptions, fairs, dances, fashion shows and small-scale conferences and exhibitions. bournemouthpavilion.co.uk
About BH Live
BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
With more than three million visits a year and over £36.5 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2015/16 BH Live hosted more than 500 events, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets. They welcomed 2.6 million visits into its leisure centres and 118,000 conference and exhibition delegates into its venues.
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