Royal Schools and ABRSM Show Support to EUYO

The RNCM has joined forces with other UK Royal Schools of Music and the ABRSM to show support for the European Union Youth Orchestra in an urgent request to restore its core EU funding.

In a joint letter to Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, and Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, Principals of the RNCM, RCM, RAM and RCS unite to issue a strong endorsement of the importance of the EUYO.

The letter states that:

The Principals of the Royal Schools of Music and the Chief Executive of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) have come together to issue a strong endorsement of the importance of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) and to issue an urgent request to the European Commission to restore EU core funding to enable the Orchestra to survive.

The EUYO represents one of the pinnacles of arts education and performance. It has provided students from throughout Europe the opportunity to make music at the highest level, to create lasting bonds between participants and to create a vibrant and visceral approach to music making. The EUYO is one of the great cultural ambassadors of Europe.

Some of our finest students and staff have contributed to the EUYO and the faculties of conservatoires in the UK and throughout Europe have been greatly enhanced by its former members. At a time when the very ideals of cohesion and collaboration across Europe are under duress, we believe the EUYO to be an inspiration for young musicians everywhere and to be far more than a showpiece of artistic attainment. We believe it is an essential way to draw our young people from diverse nations and backgrounds together to make art, to share beauty, to stimulate the imagination and affirm our common humanity.

Signed

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey (Principal, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) 
Professor Colin Lawson (Principal, Royal College of Music)
Professor Linda Merrick (Principal, Royal Northern College of Music)
Professor Jonathan Freeman-Attwood (Principal, Royal Academy of Music)
Michael Elliott (Chief Executive, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

19 May 2016