Kate Whitley To Step Down As Artistic Director Of Multi-Story Orchestra in 2026

After nearly 15 years since our first car park concert, Kate Whitley will step down as Artistic Director in early 2026, marking a significant milestone in our evolution.

Since co-founding Multi-Story Orchestra in 2011, Kate has transformed how orchestral music connects with young people and communities. What began with performances in Peckham’s Bold Tendencies car park has grown into a nationally celebrated organisation that places young people at the heart of creating new orchestral works. Under Kate’s leadership, we won a prestigious RPS Impact Award for The Endz in 2022 and became an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation in 2023.

Over the years, we have evolved from performing classical repertoire to writing all of our own music, with young people aged 14 to 18 leading the creation of new works about issues that matter to them. This youth-led, collaborative approach is now at the centre of everything we do.

Kate’s decision to step down reflects a vision that has guided Multi-Story Orchestra from the beginning: that lasting change comes from shared values and collective creativity rather than one individual voice. In recent years, she has gradually stepped back from day-to-day music-making, with a team of creative leads now carrying this work forward. 

This carefully planned transition has been supported by the same trusts and foundations that backed our very beginnings and who are now helping to champion this moment of change. As Kate explains: “I believe the founder being able to leave is a marker of the company's success, Multi-Story is now at a stage where those values are embedded in everything it does.” You can read Kate’s personal message in full here.

Stories like that of Dupri McKoy – who first performed with us aged 12 and now works as a songwriter and choir leader – demonstrate how we have created pathways for young people from diverse backgrounds to grow and thrive through music.

We will recruit our new Artistic Director this autumn, with the role beginning in early 2026. Before then, Multi-Story Orchestra will perform The Endz in Gloucester and record an album celebrating highlights from our incredible 15-year journey.

Multi-Story Orchestra will continue its mission of making music rooted in creativity, collaboration, and change – nurturing talent and amplifying the authentic voices of young people from all backgrounds.