National Youth Choir urges Government to give choirs a stronger voice in music plan
An open letter backed by choral and music education leaders calls for greater recognition of singing, fairer tax relief and closer consultation with the sector.
National Youth Choir (NYC) has called on the UK Government to strengthen its music strategy, Turn It Up, warning that it overlooks the contribution of choirs to participation, talent development and professional music-making.
The charity published an open letter on 3 November welcoming the plan’s ambitions but arguing that choral organisations should have a greater role in delivering them. It wants ministers to address funding barriers and involve youth music and choral leaders in implementation.
Signed by NYC chief executive Anne Besford and creative director Lucy Hollins, the letter says choirs receive only one passing mention in the plan, despite more than two million people singing together each week across the UK. Turn It Up was published in July 2026.
The letter calls for a review of choirs’ exclusion from Orchestra Tax Relief and argues that vocal ensembles contribute to employment, skills and international profile alongside their community role.
Besford said, 'Every music success story starts somewhere, and for countless young people that first step is singing.'
The letter also stresses that widening access requires sustained investment, local partnerships and long-term community engagement. Making an opportunity available, it argues, does not automatically enable people to take part.
Supporters include singer and presenter Aled Jones, BBC Singers chief conductor Owain Park, VOCES8 Foundation chief executive Paul Smith, and leaders from Music for Youth, Sing Up, the Royal School of Church Music and Cathedral Music Trust. Members of the public can read and add their names to the open letter.