Released today (on what would have been our first live concert since this time last year at the Royal Albert Hall), The Aldeburgh Carol was recorded, remarkably, in October, when we brought members of our Chamber Choir and our Young Composers together safely at Snape Maltings in Suffolk for the first time in many months. This Christmas carol is written by Ben Parry and Garth Bardsley.
 
We hold on to those rare and special memories of time spent making music together in 2020, as we look ahead with hope to the new year and beyond.
 
We have lost a lot this year, but we have gained and achieved so much. We found exciting new ways to be together with our members, Fellowship and Young Composers online; our members created virtual recordings of five new pieces released on our digital label and our Fellows recorded four new pieces by our Young Composers for release by NMC Recordings in 2021; we moved our auditions entirely online auditioning over 600 talented young singers; many NYCGB members past and present took part in the Stay at Home Choir’s moving virtual recording of Sir Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man; we delivered successful digital workshops to schools in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire and our brilliant alumni made not one but two recordings together.
 
We could not have done this without you. We have faced a huge financial challenge this year but thanks to the generosity of our incredible community of friends, alumni, parents, funders and members we have been able to significantly decrease this deficit and keep our members engaged, learning, singing and smiling.
 
We have also received emergency grants from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Durham County Council, as well as government support through the Culture recovery Fund and the furlough scheme for which we are extremely grateful. 
 
A huge thank you to all our supporters for your amazing and heart-warming support, and to our members, Fellows, Young Composers, staff, alumni and guest artists who have all inspired us greatly during this time.
 
From everyone at NYCGB we wish you a happy Christmas and all good wishes as we look ahead to brighter times together in 2021.

Anne Besford, CEO
Ben Parry, Artistic Director & Principal Conductor