New research from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) suggests young people are increasingly interested in exploring classical music, but they want barriers to be removed from concert going, to make it more welcoming and accessible.
The new RPO research reveals that whilst 39% of people under 25 are interested in adding recorded classical music to their streaming playlists – or buying classical recordings on vinyl (18%) – an enormous 86% would like classical concerts to change to be more welcoming, accessible and easy to follow.
The changes that young people would like to see at orchestral concerts:
· 23% of people aged under 25 said they would be interested in experiencing talks on the music and its social and cultural context before the actual concert – a move to help them better understand the music they would be listening to. Added to this, 20% of respondents said they would like to have easy access to information before the concert so they can prepare.
· Nationally, 17% of young people would like more daytime or matinee concerts so they can take family and friends to a performance during the working day or during a study break. In addition, 13% of respondents favoured shorter concerts of up to an hour.
· Some younger people assumed a dress code applied at classical concerts, with 14% of those surveyed saying that not having to dress up would make them more likely to attend.
· More than one in 10 respondents (12%) said they would like the conductor to speak to the audience before a performance.
Reacting to the research findings, Vasily Petrenko, Music Director at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, comments:“Over the last year, our research has consistently shown that the orchestral audience is diversifying and a new generation is engaging with classical music – and this interest from young people is vital for the future of classical concerts. The role of streaming sites, classical radio and the influence of film and computer game music have probably all been positively influential – but any journey of music discovery is incomplete without the concert hall experience.
“We are conscious that, for some people new to the orchestral world, a first trip to a concert hall can be a daunting experience and a lot of this is about perception. To help tackle this, the RPO is launching a brand-new ‘Revealed’ format of concerts for its new 2026-27 season. This season, multi-award-winning writer and historian Leah Broad will join us to unwrap music by Tchaikovsky and Mozart in conversation, followed by a complete performance of each symphony. This informal and engaging programme of concerts aims to encourage people new to classical music to have a welcoming first experience in the concert hall and to help them get under the skin of the music and its cultural context. It will also appeal to aficionados who want to deepen their knowledge. I will be revealing Mozart’s ‘Jupiter’ Symphony this autumn at Cadogan Hall, whilst Adam Hickox’s concert in May 2027 will open the world of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony.”
The RPO’s unique position in the orchestral world is powered by its mission to enrich lives through orchestral experiences that are uncompromising in their excellence, wide-ranging in their appeal and inclusive in their delivery. Performing approximately 200 concerts each season and with a worldwide live and online audience in excess of 60 million people, the RPO acts as a cultural ambassador for the UK on the world stage and enhances the social and cultural fabric of local communities at home through a wide range of community, education, inclusion and wellbeing programme
For more information on the RPO Revealed concerts visit: https://www.rpo.co.uk/stories/rpo-revealed-unlocking-the-stories-behind-the-music-in-our-new-concert-format