Classic FM at the ABO Conference

29 January 2013, 14:52 | Updated: 31 January 2013, 12:14

Anne-Marie Minhall took a trip to the Association of British Orchestras conference in Leeds, as some of the biggest musical minds in the country came together to discuss the question: "What's next for classical music?"

Chief Executive of City of London Sinfonia, Matthew Swann, extols the virtues of free and easily accessible classical music: "This is an amazing resource we've got in this country, there's professional world-standard music making going on right under your nose. Go and see it: go to evensong tomorrow, it's the best thing you can do for free!"

Joan Gibson, chief executive of the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, supporting youngsters in their love of classical music. "It's not just about sitting on a chair and playing in an orchestra, it's a whole wide range of activities."

Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of London's Southbank Centre, shares her thoughts on the Cultural Olympiad and a fantastic summer of music-making in 2012, and the legacy of London 2012 on the arts.

Dan Jarvis on the importance of investing in creativity for young people and nurturing the next generation: "Young people particularly get huge benefits from the opportunity to engage with the arts; whether it's music, whether its art whether it's dance. I think that's very important."

Penny King, Director of Music at the Arts Council, who says its vital for orchestras to come together at an event such as the ABO Conference, and talked all things Benjamin Britten in his centenary year.

Chief Executive of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Dougie Scarfe, on what makes the orchestra so unique: "At the end of a long day of budgets and funding, to sit and listen to the orchestra playing really marvellously - there is something very particular, warm, burnished, almost a strong European character to it, with wonderful soloists in the wind and the brass but also this rich string sound."

Chief Executive of Birmingham Symphony Hall on why he thinks the ABO Conference is so important for British Orchestras: "We all live in our own little world, geographically spread around the UK, and at some point in time everybody needs to come and share - this is about sharing, it's about sharing problems; it's also about looking for new futures."