eO Creator Fund

Help Us Build A New Kind Of Orchestra

At Engines Orchestra, we believe in the transformative power of music. Our mission as a registered charity is to unite diverse genres and push the boundaries of artistic expression through groundbreaking collaborations. By supporting brilliant artists with the ambition to create new sounds, we foster a rich and vibrant musical landscape that resonates with audiences across the UK. We support and develop projects with artists at all career stages.

Kickstarting these innovative projects requires more than just performance fees. We also need to commission orchestral arrangements, fund project R&D, and capture high-quality content that amplifies our reach and impact. That’s where the Engines Orchestra Creator Fund comes in.

Thanks to our generous donors, we successfully raised £3000 to bring a full 11-piece string section to Belle Chen’s Ravel in the Forest at the EFG London Jazz Festival 2024. This milestone marks the launch of the Creator Fund, an exciting new chapter for the Engines Orchestra.

Below, you'll find an overview of our long-term plans for the Creator Fund and how it will empower future projects, continuing to foster creativity and innovation across genres.

Together, we can build a new kind of orchestra.

What is the eO Creator Fund?

The Engines Orchestra Creator Fund is a dedicated initiative to support the developmental phase of our cross-genre projects. This fund enables us to:

  • Commission Orchestral Arrangements: Bringing unique compositions to life with full orchestral backing.

  • Fund R&D Rehearsals: Allowing artists to experiment, refine, and perfect their collaborative efforts.

  • Capture and Share Content: Produce engaging content that showcases our work and extends our reach.

Why Your Support Matters.

Your contribution to the Engines Orchestra Creator Fund will help to make and take ground-breaking musical experiences to audiences across the UK . It will–directly impact the careers of artists with whom we collaborate and the musicians in our team. With your support, we can:

  • Empower Artists: Provide resources and opportunities for artists to explore new creative horizons.

  • Create Unique Experiences: Develop performances and recordings that captivate and inspire diverse audiences.

  • Expand Our Reach: Use high-quality content to engage more people and build a larger, more inclusive community of music lovers.

First Project: Belle Chen’s Ravel in the Forest - an immersive experience!

Earlier this year, Engines Orchestra embarked on an exciting new collaboration with award-winning pianist and composer Belle Chen, premiering her album Ravel in the Forest. Our debut at Stone Nest was the perfect beginning, playing to two sold-out audiences. Now, we are thrilled to take this partnership to the next level with a milestone performance at EartH in Hackney, as part of the prestigious EFG London Jazz Festival on Monday, 18th November.

The performance at EartH is a key moment in Engines Orchestra's 10-year journey. Not only is this the largest venue we’ve ever performed in, but it will also feature an immersive 360-degree audio experience where Belle’s beautiful music will travel dynamically around the room, creating a breathtaking and memorable atmosphere for the audience.

However, EartH offers more than just a bigger stage. This show will place us in front of key figures in the music industry including members of the press press, potential collaborators, and venue and festival promoters. Being able to showcase our work on such a platform opens doors for future projects and helps us lay the groundwork for the next decade of innovation and creativity in our music.

Currently, we have the budget to bring a core string quartet to EartH, but we believe this performance deserves more. By expanding the ensemble, we can fully transform the space and immerse the audience in a unique sonic experience. Your support will help us take this next step.

To bring our full vision to life, we are looking to raise an additional £3,000. This will allow us to cover the costs of:

  • Printing music scores and parts (approx £75)

  • String microphone, chairs and music stand hire for the extra players (approx £60 per player)

  • Musicians fees for rehearsal and performance (£325 per player)

These costs quickly add up and your contribution, no matter the size, will directly support the musicians and production elements that will help us to level up this performance and make the most of the opportunity.

How to Donate:

We would be incredibly grateful for any donations to the Engines Orchestra Creator Fund to help us deliver our vision for the immersive Ravel in the Forest performance. Your support will help us bring this milestone performance to life and ensure our continued growth as an ensemble. Every contribution makes a difference, and for donations of £250 or more, we’re pleased to offer a small set of perks, including tickets to the show and an exclusive video meet-and-greet with Belle Chen and our Artistic Director, Phil Meadows.

If you represent a brand or company, we’d be happy to explore additional opportunities, such as using photos or video from the event for your marketing. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss how we can tailor these benefits for you.

Get Involved (how the fund will work post-launch).

Once this initial project is complete we’ll be launching a more comprehensive scheme where people can support the early development of new projects, or help us to bring our established ones to new audiences. There will be several ways you can support the Engines Orchestra Creator Fund:

  • One-off or monthly donations: Every contribution helps us bring more innovative projects to fruition. Click here to support, no matter the amount.

  • Sponsor: For significant contributions, explore our 'In Development' and 'Taking the Stage' pages. There, you can select a specific project to support and receive exclusive benefits and recognition. Contact us to learn more and collaborate on a custom benefits package that brings you into the heart of the creative process.

  • Share: Help spread the word about the Creator Fund and our mission to unite genres through music on your social media, or through your mailing list.

Thank You For Your Support.

Thank You For Your Support.

Join Us in Making Musical History

Together, we can foster an environment where musical boundaries are pushed, new sounds are created, and great art is brought to life. By supporting the Engines Orchestra Creator Fund, you will make a lasting impact on the careers of talented artists and enrich the experiences of audiences across the UK.