Interview | OneOrchestra

ICMP's Songwriting alumnus Michael Amadi is a versatile music maker with a background in songwriting and orchestral composition. 

Originally from Italy, now based in London, his experiences are many, including releasing his own solo EPs and now launching the OneOrchestra Group.

The project aims to bring artists and orchestral groups and players together and has now grown into a community of more than 200 musicians. In our interview, we quiz Michael on how OneOrchestra came about and his future ambitions...  

How did OneOrchestra start out?

Orchestral music has always been a personal passion. Over the years, I found myself arranging for strings on various projects, drawn to the unique power and beauty of orchestral sound. But the idea for OneOrchestra took shape during my time working with Yamaha on their 'Feel True Sound' film campaign (2017).

I was invited to perform at the piano alongside a 20-piece orchestra, and that day, I experienced the magic of orchestral music firsthand. The excitement of being on set, filming, and recording live with an orchestra was just incredible - it was in that moment that the concept for OneOrchestra was born.

It inspired me to bring that experience to my own projects as well as to other artists. I wanted to create a platform that uses orchestral music to bring people together. In 2018, I decided to deepen my knowledge and pursue a Master's degree in Orchestral Composition for Film & TV at London College of Music. It was there that I met the co-founder of OneOrchestra and together we started refining the concept. We took time to define what OneOrchestra would be - a platform that blends our skills in orchestration with the power of collaboration and performance, aimed at providing musicians and artists with unique music experiences.

We officially launched the company in 2020, just as the world was hit by the pandemic. Initially, our plans were affected by the limitations of the lockdown, but we quickly adapted, shifting to remote collaborations. During this period, we worked with many incredible musicians from around the world, many of whom are now part of the OneOrchestra community. In those early days, it felt like we were building something bigger than just a business - we were creating a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for music and collaboration.

From our humble beginnings, we've grown into a network that brings together over 200 musicians across Europe, united by a common goal of creating memorable, impactful music experiences."

What does OneOrchestra offer?

OneOrchestra offers a full range of orchestral services for artists, from composition to live studio sessions, bringing music to life in the most impactful way. Today, we work closely with artists on a variety of projects, whether it's composing original orchestral arrangements for their songs or recording and filming live sessions. Our team has also had the privilege of touring and performing live on TV with some renowned artists.

We've built a community of musicians across Europe, creating a network that brings people together to collaborate on a range of musical projects. Whether working remotely or in person, we have the unique opportunity to connect with incredible musicians and bring the OneOrchestra sound wherever we perform. In addition to artist collaborations, we also extend our services to events and concert series around Europe, offering orchestral performances that elevate occasions and create unforgettable experiences.

And who have you worked with to date?

OneOrchestra has had the privilege of collaborating on a variety of exciting projects with both emerging and renowned artists. We composed the orchestral arrangement for 'Lost Without You' by Freya Ridings, which was performed live at the Royal Albert Hall by the Royal British Legion Orchestra during the Festival of Remembrance in 2020. Receiving a last-minute call to arrange the piece and hearing it played live on television the next day was an incredible experience. We also had the pleasure of working with Freya for her performance of 'Weekends' on The Graham Norton Show.

We worked closely with Peter Sandberg on his Constellations Tour 2023, accompanying him on his UK and EU tour, performing in Germany, Denmark and UK. This collaboration brought different teams from our network together, showcasing the power of our collective sound across multiple countries.

Our ongoing partnership with the London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) has been a highlight, including composing an orchestral arrangement for their performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of 61,000 people. Witnessing such a large crowd chanting to our music was unforgettable.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to perform at the ESL Dota 2 Gaming Championship in Birmingham, where we composed an orchestral rendition of the game's theme and performed it live in front of 15,000 people. This was an amazing experience, with a team of 15 people coming together to create a truly spectacular performance.

We've also collaborated with singer-songwriters like Nicole Thalia, the backing vocalist for Italian superstar Marco Mengoni. With Nicole, we arranged a string version of one of her singles and filmed a live session in the studio, showcasing our versatility and creativity. Each of these collaborations has been an incredible opportunity to elevate the music and connect with audiences in new and impactful ways.

What does the future for the business look like?

OneOrchestra's journey has been guided by a clear vision of connecting people through music. We have always been driven by the idea of creating unique experience using the power and beauty of orchestral music. This vision will continue to shape our future as we aim to bring people together through our performances.

For the future of OneOrchestra, we're excited about continuing to expand our reach and impact within the music industry. We plan to deepen our collaborations with artists, providing them with more opportunities to create and perform accompanied by our orchestral arrangements. We'll be focusing on expanding our presence across Europe and beyond, offering orchestral services for a range of projects - from live TV performances to concert tours and destination events.

We are also looking forward to broadening our impact in the events industry, offering orchestral performances that transform events into truly memorable experiences. Our growing network of over musicians allows us to bring together unique talent, giving OneOrchestra the flexibility to create dynamic musical projects with diverse teams across Europe. Ultimately, we want to continue to grow, connect and inspire both artists and audiences through the power of orchestral music.

Visit oneorchestra.one for more information.