Page 2 - BYC NAVE Public Facing Version

2 Public Overview NORTHERN ACADEMY OF VOCAL EXCELLENCE
BARNSLEY YOUTH CHOIR
Barnsley Youth Choir is a registered charity formed in 2009 that provides outstanding choral training
to over 450 young people aged 4-24 years old. BYC is first and foremost an inclusive community choir serving an area of deprivation where 1 in 4 children live in poverty. The choir has 6 sections: BYC Junior Choir (4-7 years), BYC Children’s Central (7-12 years), BYC Children’s Choir East - Dearne (7-12 years), BYC Children’s Choir West - Penistone (7-12 years), BYC Intermediate Choir (10-16 years) and BYC Senior Choir (14-24 years). The choir has released 2 albums, performed on TV and Radio and has raised significant amounts of money for local charities.
The choir also has a newly formed Alumni section and close links with sister organisations Little Singers (0-4 years) founded by Eleanor Wright and Barnsley Singers (24 years+) founded by Mat Wright and Luke Mather. enabling the choir to provide lifelong creative engagement. BYC is not publicly funded and relies on the support of the local and wider community to operate and maintain viability.
The choir is ranked 3rd in the Interkultur World Rankings in its category and has won 8 First Prizes in major international competitions such as the European Choir Games and
the World Choir Games. The choir has won numerous awards including the Queen’s
Award for Voluntary Service (MBE) in 2017, in recognition of the vital contribution of our team of volunteers, and has developed excellent relationships with a number of international partners and organisations including the Adolf Fredriks Music School in Sweden, University of Pretoria in South Africa and the Kodaly School in Hungary. The Kodaly system is used by the choir as an important learning tool. BYC has toured throughout the UK and internationally with successful trips to Germany, Sweden, Latvia and South Africa, and has welcomed some of the finest international choirs and leaders to Barnsley to work with its
young people.
BYC prides itself on providing exceptional experiences for young people and engenders a sense of aspiration. Being a member helps young people to develop skills and qualities that will support them throughout their lives. We seek to inspire and change lives through music and provide life changing opportunities for those involved.