Page 4 - BYC Xmas Concert Program 2021

Finally spare a thought for the uniform team! Around 400 members have grown out of their uniform since we performed in 2019.
It’s been the most herculean task to ensure that every child is measured, uniforms are ordered (some from America), payments
are processed, uniforms are altered by the seamstress and then delivered to members. They have been fantastic, and have coped with a huge weight of responsibility to ensure that our children look at their best for these concerts. Thank you to all volunteers that supported with this, and to parents
for your patience as we navigated such a difficult moment.
The future is extremely exciting. We have already completed a recording for a special VOCES8 Winter Festival alongside some of the world’s most famous choirs that will be shared this weekend, we have provided a recording for the Barnsley Hospice Light up
a Life Service and have also committed to a charity concert raising important funds for St. Mary’s Church that does so much to support the local community. The Unplugged Concert on 18th December is the best way possible to enter into the Christmas spirit. By attending the concert, you will also be supporting the most vulnerable in our community – tickets are on sale from 2nd December!
We have already been filmed by a national TV channel in October and have been asked to take part in a very exciting national TV programme in January. Whilst I can’t divulge any details, they are such exciting events and will really help to provide wonderful exposure for the choir and our young people.
We have pencilled in a trip to our twin town of Schwabisch-Gmund in Germany in July, and will be taking Children’s, Intermediate and Senior Choirs to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. The world famous Tuks Camerata from the University of Pretoria (World Champions in 2014) will be joining us in Barnsley for their long-awaited visit in
July and our usual Spring Concerts and Gala Dinner have been booked in. It’s an ambitious calendar that is still emerging as further exciting events are planned. There has never been a better time to be involved in BYC!
Perhaps the most exciting development is the prospect of a new home for Barnsley Youth Choir. The Northern Academy of Vocal Excellence is a huge but wonderful project that would provide exceptional opportunities to young people from Barnsley and beyond for many years to come. Whilst information about this is available separately, I do hope that you will read this and do everything you can to get behind the project. We need your support to realise this vision, and hope that you may find yourself in a position to help us.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our major sponsors, Barnsley College, who not only provide us with a world class facility, but also do so much to support the choir in this capacity. This support has been absolutely crucial and has kept Barnsley Youth Choir viable for the town. Thank you to Penistone Grammar School and Astrea Academy Dearne who provide wonderful venues for our satellite choirs in the West and East. Thank you also to Patrons, 100Club Members and anyone who has supported the choir through this tough time.
Thank you for your support this weekend, and for everything you do to support this special organisation. I am incredibly proud and privileged to work and serve the choir and these brilliant young people. We hope that you enjoy the concert.
Mat Wright Artistic Director
Christmas Concert 2021
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