National youth music charity, Orchestras for All (OFA), has today announced the relocation of its headquarters from London to Sheffield.
Following years of music-making activity at Camden arts venue, Cecil Sharp House ‒ home to the English Folk Dance and Song Society, with whom OFA looks forward to retaining a close link ‒ OFA’s new headquarters will be based at striking Grade II* listed building, Canada House.
The move to South Yorkshire comes following OFA’s national callout inviting followers and supporters to share recommendations for its new address, alongside an internal callout, a consultative review among OFA’s core team, Trustees and Ambassadors, and rigorous shortlisting using key selection criteria.
Although Canada House is currently unoccupied, Harmony Works responded to the callout and is in the process of restoring and revitalising the historic Grade II* listed Canada House in order to create a thriving new music hub in the heart of the city.
Despite Sheffield being one of the largest cities in the country, behind London, Birmingham and Manchester, it is without a resident professional orchestra ‒ making it the perfect setting for OFA to widen its impact and further develop its three powerful programmes: National Orchestra for All (NOFA), Modulo and Music Leadership Training.
National Orchestra for All alum, OFA Ambassador and Sheffield local, Haseeb, said: “Now is the best time for OFA to be moving to Sheffield! It will be quite a convenient location for future courses, since many members would not need to travel as far. I love living in Sheffield because it’s quite an outdoorsy city ‒ the greenest city in the UK in fact and is right next door to the Peak District.
“Sheffield is a great place for OFA to be based due to its rich musical heritage, being the stomping ground of bands like the Arctic Monkeys and rock bands, Pulp and Def Leppard, among many others. There are some amazing venues for performances to take place, such as Sheffield City Hall and Victoria Hall, which I hope OFA will be able to benefit from.”
Emily Pieters, Project Director of Harmony Works, said: “We are thrilled Orchestras for All has chosen to make Sheffield their new home. Our organisations share a strong base of values, committed to breaking down barriers to give all young people the very best musical experience whatever their background or circumstance. We very excited about the impact this partnership will bring to the region and we’re already collaborating together and engaging with the Orchestras for All team as we develop our plans for Canada House.”
Learn more about Orchestras for All here.
