22 July 2025 

SDLP Newry councillor Doire Finn has urged Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to intervene to prevent the closure of the North’s National Youth Choir.

The choir has announced plans to close after 26 years due to the loss of Arts Council funding.

Councillor Finn has written to the Minister asking him to consider ways to safeguard the future of the choir.

Councillor Finn said:

“The news that the National Youth Choir is being forced to close its doors is devastating not only for the hundreds of current members, but the thousands of young singers who have benefitted directly as a result of getting involved over the years. Some of our most renowned singers have been part of the choir and closure would be a huge blow to the arts and cultural scene in the North.

“The choir is not only important for those who go on to successful careers in music, but for all of the young people who build confidence, develop skills and build life-long friendships through their involvement. The end of the choir-led workshops in our schools will end many young people’s first opportunity to engage seriously with music.

“This is the latest attacks on our arts and cultural scene that has seen funding continuously eroded in recent years with the loss of many vital programmes and community groups. I am urging the Communities Minister to recognise the importance of the youth choir and to directly intervene to stop this closure. Leaving the North as the only part of these islands without a National Youth Choir is totally unacceptable and the SDLP will do everything we can to prevent it.”