Voices Foundation ceases operations

Voices Foundation has announced that it is ceasing operations, bringing to an end three decades of work supporting the development of children and young people through singing.

In a statement, the charity’s chair, Liz Rayment-Pickard, said: ‘Unfortunately, the current challenging economic climate has put enormous pressure on our resources. We have not been immune to the budgetary constraints felt throughout the entire music education sector.’

Best known for its work with Primary schools, Voices Foundation was behind a range of resources and training programmes for teachers and pupils, aimed at fulfilling its mission of ‘transforming music education so every child has the opportunity to find their voice’.

Just last year, its activity benefitted almost 45,000 children across the UK, 34% of whom were eligible for free school meals against a national average of 24%.

The ISM, which recently worked with Voices Foundation on the Primary Singing Toolkit and Breaking the Singing Barrier resources, posted on social media: ‘We have worked closely with Voices Foundation over many years … Their projects have benefitted thousands of children and created a powerful culture of singing in schools, and they will be a much-missed partner in the UK music education ecosystem.’

The Voices Foundation board said it was ‘enormously grateful’ to all those who had ever supported the charity, adding: ‘Together, you have all played your part in transforming the lives of children and teachers through the power of music. You have all lived our mission every day and played a crucial role in making music accessible to all children, regardless of background.’

Despite the closure, several resources remain available on the Voices Foundation website, including a suite of free virtual singing assemblies.

The charity was founded in 1993 by Susan Digby OBE, inspired by the work of music educationalist Zoltán Kodály.