The OAE – or Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment – is an internationally renowned orchestra, specialising in music from the eighteenth century. They are only the second professional orchestra in the world to be based in a state school, and the first in the UK.
The OAE moved into Burghley in 2020 and are bringing music into all aspects of school life. The orchestra uses the Hall for rehearsals and has its offices in the school.
Famous for innovation, they have recently been working with dance students at Acland Burghley on combining the music of Johann Sebastian Bach with hip hop. Another project involved GCSE dance students choreographing a modern dance piece set to the music of the French composer Jean-Phillippe Rameau. See the video: