Multi-Story Orchestra - Project

It was a really cool experience allowing for many people to perform who wouldn’t have had that chance.

A Multi-Story Orchestra Young Creative

This project has assisted us in developing a method of creating and performing music that includes world-class professionals alongside local young people. This was a high-profile event increasing our sector impact … It has expanded audiences from more diverse backgrounds, making classical music an art form that can be appreciated by, and have relevance to, absolutely everybody. The project has also helped pioneer a bold new way of working, which we hope will inspire our sector and promote positive change … The project that BBT funded will continue into the future, through a programme of work which continues to centre young people as equal creatives in the development of new orchestra work.

Alys Beider, Executive Director

Founded more than a decade ago, Multi-Story Orchestra is the empowering force behind a raft of highly successful performances and projects working alongside young people to write and perform new music exploring contemporary issues and telling stories.

A BBT Community Grant in 2023 funded the commissioning of a new work about social media, Verified, for orchestra, violin, percussion, soprano and young voices. Exploring the search for authenticity and acceptance amidst the growing pressures of social media and living in a digital age, the new work was created by Multi-Story’s Young Creatives and musicians and their co-founder Kate Whitley, herself a recipient of a BBT Special Award in 2014. Three BBT soloists (violinist Hyeyoon Park, percussionist Simone Rubino and soprano Ruby Hughes) joined local school choirs, soprano Francesca Chiejina, Multi-Story Orchestra and the conductor Adam Gibbs for the premiere performance at Bold Tendencies in Peckham, London, as part of BBT’s 20th anniversary celebrations in June 2023.

Read Susan Rivers’ BBT Communities Blog, November 2023 here

Read Nick Breckenfield’s Blog about the first night of BBT20 with Multi-Story Orchestra here