Greg Beardsell to leave National Youth Choir

Conductor Greg Beardsell has announced his decision to ‘step away’ from his role as principal conductor with the National Youth Choir (15-18 Years). In a statement released on Twitter yesterday, Beardsell confirmed he would be leaving the organisation after 20 years in the role.

Beardsell’s announcement follows the choir’s 40^th anniversary, celebrated in 2023. His final performance with the National Youth Choir will be a sold-out multi-genre concert at Wakefield Cathedral on 26 August, following the Choir’s performance of Beethoven’s Ninth alongside the Aurora Orchestra and soloists at the BBC Proms (21 August).

In a statement published yesterday on Twitter, Beardsell said: ‘After much reflection, I have decided to step away from the National Youth Choir organisation after 20 years as Principal Conductor of NYC 15-18. It has been the greatest honour of my career to conduct and work alongside thousands of young people over my tenure. The opportunity to guide and inspire these young musicians, helping them develop, not just as musicians, but as individuals, has been a privilege beyond words. I am profoundly grateful for everything the National Youth Choir organisation has given me, and I look forward to supporting the choir in other ways in the future.’

During Beardsell’s tenure the National Youth Choir organisation has grown to offer a full programme of training and progression opportunities, delivering seven residential courses and169 training sessions across 61 activity days reaching 1,118 participants in national  choir activities in the 2022-23 season. As well as thanking his colleagues n his statement, Beardsell also confirmed that he ‘will always be an advocate for the organisation and its mission.’