20 June 2021

Thank you to everyone who has supported our COVID recovery face to face events over the last two weeks. It has been great to see some of the County Groups meeting together as whole ensembles for the first time since March 2020, and wonderful to welcome Saturday Centre members back to our transitional opening events in Northampton, Brackley and Oundle. The joy of hearing young people making music together in the same space cannot be underestimated – even if sitting 2m apart feels extremely unnatural!

Plans for our County Groups are now focused on our Summer Festival of Music at Derngate on 2nd-4th July. We have shared intended times of performance, and are working with Derngate to confirm arrangements for ticketing for each of the 20 performances which will take place over the three days. There will be no charge for attendance at these events, which will be fully funded by the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, but audience numbers will be limited. This is all being planned in conjunction with Royal and Derngate, following Government advice for our sector, and ensuring the safety of all participants, audience members, staff and volunteers at all times. We will share further information with you as soon as it is confirmed.

Unfortunately, the Music for Youth National Festival, which was to have been held in Birmingham on 9th and 10th July will not be taking place. This event would have brought 500 young people together on each day from all over the country. The rise of the Delta variant in the Birmingham area has led to its cancellation and our groups will not be attending.

To help us keep our activities safe, we ask you to continue to observe 2m distancing, to wear masks when arriving and not seated in a rehearsal and to continue to be aware and vigilant of COVID restrictions.

Thank you for your support in helping us to gradually increase the opportunities that we offer.

Peter Smalley, Chief Executive