Last night, we received confirmation that the proposed closure of Surrey Youth Choir has been reversed. Minor changes have been made to the format in terms of length and fee structure, but a weekly youth choir for Surrey’s advanced teenage choral singers survives. It is still here.

This is the outcome so many of us had hoped for and I’m delighted to be able to share it with you. Over the past two weeks, more than 500 people signed the Change.org petition in protest at the proposed closure. Parents, alumni, fellow musicians and members of the public have spoken up in support. And voices from across the choral world, some of the most respected names in British music, added theirs. Today, Surrey Arts has taken a positive step. This decision protects not only a choir, but a pathway: one that allows young people from across the county to access advanced choral training, often for the first time. It ensures continuity, creativity, and the space for young singers to grow. I want to thank the team at Surrey Arts for taking the feedback on board and responding with care.

This decision also safeguards the role of the current conductor, Jonathan Lucas Wood. Jonny has shown immense bravery, resolve, and compassion for his singers throughout what I know has undoubtedly been an extremely difficult period. I’m proud to stand alongside him as a colleague and friend and I remain full of admiration for his commitment to his students, many of whom I also taught for five years. I wish them all the greatest success.

But today’s outcome isn’t the end of the conversation. The hard work begins now - as collective stakeholders we all need to come together and find ways to improve visibility of the choir alongside encouraging Surrey Arts to prioritise secondary school age recruitment. Trust also needs to be rebuilt and relationships repaired. These questions matter if this ensemble is to thrive, not just survive. I hope they will be met with the same willingness to listen that we’ve seen today. For now, though, this is a moment worth celebrating. To the students, the staff, the parents, and the wider community who gave their energy and voices to this campaign: thank you. We did it!

Cole Bendall and Jonathan Lucas Wood