African orchestral work is a professional and artistic field in its own right.
Unathi’s African orchestral work is concerned with the conditions under which orchestral practice can deepen across the continent: repertoire, conductors, composers, musicians, institutions, education, professional networks and international connection.
The work is designed to grow through collaboration rather than through claims of continental representation. Its purpose is to build relationships with people and institutions already doing the work; to make African repertoire and artistic leadership more visible; to support exchange between orchestral communities; and to identify the infrastructure required for stronger professional pathways.
This strand also creates a bridge between Unathi’s artistic practice and the wider institutional ambition of Orchestral Arts Africa. It can include guest engagements, repertoire projects, conductor and artist exchange, research, partnerships and cross-border programme development.
The long-term objective is a stronger, more connected African orchestral network in which artists can collaborate across borders, African composers can circulate more widely, and international relationships can be built on the basis of equal artistic and professional partnership.