The Healthy Orchestra Charter is a joint initiative by the
Association of British Orchestras (ABO) and the Musicians Benevolent Fund.
The Charter encourages orchestras to think about how they work and how to prevent many of the physical and psychological problems which affect orchestral musicians before they can cause long term and sometimes irreparable damage.
The first Bronze Charter Marks were awarded to the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Opera House in 2007. Bronze Charter Marks have since been awarded to more than a dozen orchestras and three are also holders of Silver Awards. The first Silver Charter Mark was awarded to the Royal Opera House in 2008.
These pages contain further
information about the Charter and how orchestras can
apply. There are also
resources that can be used by musicians (both employed and freelance) and managers who want to find out more about orchestral occupational health issues.