Open Up Music

Also known as: National Open Youth Orchestra

Open Up Music empowers young disabled musicians to build inclusive youth orchestras. Together we develop accessible musical instruments and repertoire, challenge expectations and forge new progression routes through the creation of great music.

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Activities & Mission

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Country

Northern Ireland Scotland

Region

England And Wales

Financial Information

Latest Income

£982,070

Latest Expenditure

£851,202

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 75.0%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 33% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 962). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 86.6%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 21% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 37.3%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 6% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £846,519

Charitable Activities £135,363

Other Trading £0

Investments £188

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £736,738

Raising Funds £114,464

Governance £202,639

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£982,070	£851,202	£736,738	£487,776	£423,076	13 / 0
2024	£832,983	£801,266	£686,002	£356,908	£314,757	12 / 0
2023	£763,688	£722,795	£612,324	£325,191	£192,090	12 / 0
2022	£631,482	£697,417	£587,657	£284,298	£174,089	11 / 0
2021	£560,702	£565,252	£490,061	£350,233	£110,173	10 / 1

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Open Up Music

What does Open Up Music do?

How much income did Open Up Music report in 2025?

Open Up Music reported total income of £982k and reported expenditure of £851k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Open Up Music?

Open Up Music has a program ratio of 75.0%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 33% of UK Arts charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 962 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Open Up Music registered as a charity?

Open Up Music was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 10 May 2016 as charity number 1167028. It has been registered for 10 years.

Who runs Open Up Music?

Open Up Music is governed by a board of 7 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Open Up Music operate?

Open Up Music operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.

Is Open Up Music a registered charity?

Yes — Open Up Music is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1167028.