CROYDON IN CRISIS: The council-owned arts centre, refurbished at a cost of £70m, is closing its doors to 200 fee-paying pupils in what one councillor describes as ‘a loss to the community’. EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES
Not so bright: venue operators BH Live appear to be determined to shut down
Croydon, London’s “Borough of Culture” in 2023, is closing its biggest music school in 2024.
The Yamaha Music School is being forced out of the council-owned Fairfield Halls, its home for the past five years, where around 200 youngsters – and some not-so-young – pay up to £20 a time for a range of lessons and one-hour group sessions on keyboards, drums and guitar.
The decision to end the music school’s use of the Fairfield Halls has been taken by the venue’s managers, Bournemouth-based leisure centre operators BH Live. Neither BH Live nor Croydon Council responded to Inside Croydon’s requests for comment.
Yamaha Music Schools operate around the world, using a well-respected formula for developing musical skills and talents of all ages.
Final fanfare: the Halls managers are kicking the music school out
The licensing deal to bring the Yamaha Music School to Croydon was one of the few enduring successes at the Fairfield Halls since it re-opened in 2019, following the controversial and uncompleted £70million council-funded refurbishment.
As well as securing a regular income stream for the venue – BHLive retained all profits from the music school – the arrangement also provided youthful footfall at the under-utilised venue throughout the week, even when BH Live’s artistic programme has been otherwise underwhelming.
And under special arrangements during a series of international classical concerts held in 2022 and 2023, many of the young pupils were able to attend special rehearsals in the Concert Hall with world-famous professional musicians.
Croydon’s Yamaha Music School’s annual Christmas concert at the Fairfield Halls, due to be staged on December 7, seems likely to be the last at the venue.
An email was sent to the school’s pupils last week.
“We are writing to let you know that at the end of this winter term (from Sunday 15 December 2024), the Yamaha Music School (YMS) at Fairfield Halls will close,” it stated, tersely.
There are hopes that the Croydon school will continue to operate, from an alternative venue.
Well-taught: the Yamaha Music School in Croydon had 200 pupils on its books at any one time
But given the massive investment in the Fairfield Halls, and its supposed status as the borough’s cultural centre, the decision by BH Live to end their licensing arrangement with Yamaha from the end of this year appears, at best, perverse.
It comes not long after a programme of organ music recitals, using the Concert Hall’s prized instrument that had been refurbished at significant cost, were also scrapped by the management. Two artistic directors have resigned their jobs at the Fairfield Halls since 2020, the latest, Jonathan Higgins, never having been replaced by his employers, BH Live.
The decision over the Yamaha Music School will do nothing to provide assurance to those who have been critical of BH Live’s Philistine approach to the arts, its poor, almost non-existent promotion of some shows, and the lack of investment in the musical and artistic programmes at the once-admired south London venue.
One ward councillor, Esther Sutton, has called the decision “disappointing” and “a loss to the community”.
Sutton is a Green Party councillor for Fairfield ward, but also runs The Oval Tavern, with its renowned programme of musical performances most nights – so she knows a thing or two about the local cultural scene, promoting the arts and the importance of public participation in the Fairfield Halls.
“It is disappointing to learn BH Live will no longer be hosting the Yamaha Music School at the Fairfield Halls – a loss to the community.
Hopes for a new venue: Bethany Norman had managed the YMS at the Fairfield Halls for the past five years
“Our important venue should be fostering Croydon’s emerging talent, providing grassroots support and making music truly accessible for young musicians in our diverse borough.”
Bethany Norman has been managing the YMS programme on behalf of the venue for the past five years, and she says that she plans to continue delivering the Yamaha teaching programme.
“We have had a great five years at the Fairfield Halls and I am grateful for the opportunities it has offered.
“There is no denying that I am disappointed that BH Live haven’t shown dedication to developing their Yamaha Music School to work within their business model in Croydon.
“However, I truly believe this is just the beginning for YMS Croydon.”
Read more: How businesses profited at expense of the Borough of Culture
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