Your insights and feedback are invaluable in shaping the direction of Orchestras Live and ensuring we continue to serve the needs of the orchestral music and cultural sector effectively.

We’re pleased to share some key findings from the survey, along with updates on how we plan to act on what you’ve told us.

What You Told Us

When we asked you to describe Orchestras Live in three words, one stood out above the rest: collaborative.

As collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, it’s immensely gratifying to see this recognised so strongly. From co-producing projects to delivering events, our partnerships are the cornerstone of our mission.

Other descriptors you shared included ‘ambitious’, ‘progressive’, ‘inspiring’, ‘strategic’, ‘creative’, and ‘inclusive’ — affirmations of the values we strive to uphold in all aspects of our work.

Your responses also highlighted strong recognition of our leadership role in the sector. A remarkable  97% of you valued Orchestras Live as a thought leader (up from 77% in 2023), while 94% agreed that we’re a changemaker (up from 83% in 2023).

We’ve also made notable progress in how we use and share data, which you acknowledged in your feedback:

• 94% agreed that we bring evidence-based knowledge and experience that enhances the impact of our collaborations (up from 79% in 2023).

• 93% agreed that we help partners use data to evidence and communicate the value of their work (up from 69% in 2023).

Progress on Diversity and Inclusion

We were particularly pleased to see that 74% of you reported a positive impact on your diversity and inclusion practices over the past two years as a result of working in partnership with us, a significant increase from 54% in 2022.

Environmental Responsibility and Social Value Measurement

Our commitment to environmental sustainability continues to grow. Over the past year, we’ve shared insights from our carbon footprint calculations, including a pilot project with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in King’s Lynn. This work aims to support more environmentally conscious planning across co-productions.

Encouragingly, 29% of you reported engaging in planning conversations about reducing the environmental impact of our projects (up from 3% in 2023). Additionally, 9% engaged with our blog posts on digital sustainability and our organisational carbon footprint.

Another key area of development is our recently launched Impact and Evaluation Services, which focus on measuring social value. Many of you highlighted the benefits of social value measurement, including:

• Advocating for the value of cultural work

• Improving funding success

• Enhancing strategic programming

• Maximising social impact for audiences and participants

What Happens Next

While we’re pleased with the positive feedback and progress highlighted in the survey, we’re also taking on board the areas where we can improve and do more. Over the coming months, we’ll be:

• Expanding carbon calculation exercises to more projects.
• Continuing to refine our data-driven evaluation and insight-sharing practices.
• Supporting partners in measuring and demonstrating social value and exploring the options available through our newly developed Impact & Evaluation Services.

We’re currently reviewing all your responses in detail and will share relevant strategic takeaways with our board of trustees. Your feedback will guide our plans as we continue to work together to create innovative, impactful, and inclusive projects that resonate with audiences and communities across the country.

Thank you again for your time and contributions to the survey. Your collaboration and insights are vital to the ongoing success of Orchestras Live and the wider orchestral music sector.