Tragic announcement: Northern Ireland's National Youth Choir to disband due to total loss of funding
National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland (NYCNI) to Close After 26 Years
The National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland (NYCNI), a cherished institution that has served thousands of young singers for over two decades, is set to close following the withdrawal of funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI).
The choir, previously known as the Ulster Youth Choir, has been a significant part of many lives, with its annual programme impacting thousands of young musicians each year. The choir runs five choirs, some of which are residential, catering to singers aged eight to 24. One of its most notable choirs, I Lift my eyes, is named after a composition by Bob Chilcott.
The loss of funding, which amounted to approximately £60,000 annually, was due to NYCNI's unsuccessful funding application for the 2025-26 period as assessed by ACNI. This decision came amidst the choir's financial difficulties, which included a major loss in reserves and unexpected employee-related costs. Despite the choir's efforts to manage finances, including the appointment of a part-time chief executive and plans to rebuild reserves, the charity faced significant financial challenges.
The Arts Council provided detailed feedback on NYCNI's application and met with them to discuss their immediate plans and future funding opportunities. However, the specific criteria or reasons for the funding denial have not been detailed publicly.
The decision to defund NYCNI has been met with significant backlash, with an open letter signed by high-profile musicians including Anna Lapwood, Rachel Portman, and The King's Singers, calling for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to reverse the decision. A parent also expressed disappointment about the funding cut, claiming that the standard of the National Youth Choir would impress anyone who hears it. They also suggested that the loss of NYCNI would represent a loss of a vital pathway for young people and a step backwards for arts and culture in the region.
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has stated that the decision not to fund NYCNI this year was not based on funding pressures but on the organization's ability to meet the program's criteria. The choir's courses taking place this summer will be the last of their kind, marking the end of an era for many.
Alumna Rosie Cameron expressed her annoyance about the closure, stating that NYCNI played a significant role in her love of choral music. The choir's closure is a sad reminder of the impact that funding decisions can have on the lives of many and the cultural landscape of a region.
[1] Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Funding Decisions 2024-25: National Portfolio Organisations. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.artscouncil-ni.org/funding/funding-decisions-2024-25-national-portfolio-organisations/
[2] BBC News NI, National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland to close after funding cut. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-65378811
[5] The Guardian, National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland to close after funding cut. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/16/national-youth-choir-of-northern-ireland-to-close-after-funding-cut
- The National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland (NYCNI), a cherished institution known for its impact on music education and entertainment, is facing closure due to withdrawal of funding, leading to concerns about education-and-self-development and the loss of a vital music learning pathway for young people.
- Despite the NYCNI's significant role in music education and entertainment, their unsuccessful funding application for the 2025-26 period and subsequent closure will result in a notable gap in the region's arts and culture landscape, as well as affecting the personal learning experiences of many young musicians.
