19 June 2020

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NYCGB SUMMER COURSES MOVE ONLINE FOR EXCITING NEW PROGRAMME

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NYCGB has continued to closely monitor the likely impact of COVID-19 on our summer 2020 programme and having reviewed all the current UK Government guidance and consulted with course venues and parents, members and carers with summer bookings, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel all of NYCGB’s summer residential courses and concerts.

The health and wellbeing of our members and staff remains our highest priority. At this stage, although restrictions are being lifted, there remains a great deal of uncertainty about how the situation will develop beyond early July. The indications are that social distancing will remain in effect for some months. Therefore, sadly we are not in a position where NYCGB can practically run national residential courses within likely social distancing requirements and adequately mitigate risks to course participants. 

Brand New Online Summer Programme

We know that many of our singers have been looking forward to coming together to learn, perform and have fun with their choir this summer and want to continue to enable our members to develop their voices, explore new music, be creative and to develop their sense of wellbeing and belonging at this challenging time.

We have therefore put in place plans to move our summer courses online. Our online programmes will be open to all choir members to book a place and we have enough capacity to accommodate everyone who would like to take part.

Our newly developed summer courses offer the trademark high-quality experience and expert musicianship that NYCGB stands for, to take our singers’ musicianship, singing skills and experience to the next level. They are developed and run by our specialist team of world-class choral professionals and incorporate as much of the NYCGB course experience as possible – from rehearsals, sectionals and musicianship, to special guest workshops, social activities and even dancercise! Members will also get to take part in exciting new virtual recording projects. We are communicating directly with parents, members and carers about these changes.

Making a Donation

Having lost over 66% of our earned income we are currently facing a projected deficit of around £250,000 this financial year (1 October 2019-30 September 2020), which has placed a significant financial strain on the organisation. To mitigate the financial defict we have furloughed all of our staff at some point and have launched a public fundraising appeal entitled ‘Keep the Nation Singing’. However, we are determined to come through this and ensure that we not only keep the nation singing in the future but also support our members and freelance staff during this international crisis.

TO MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT OUR WORK THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES, PLEASE CLICK HERE

May we take this opportunity to thank you all for your unwavering support for NYCGB during this unprecedented time. The kind messages and donations that we have received have meant so much to the NYCGB team. We look forward to seeing you online this summer and being able to meet again in person soon. In the meantime, we hope you all stay safe and well.

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With Best Wishes,

Ben Parry, Artistic Director & Principal Conductor, NYCGB