With regret, HYM will remain closed this term. Hopefully we can resume in September.

I have always taken the view that all schools should be up and running before HYM could consider restarting. However, in last Friday's Times, an article headed 'It's enough to make you spit' said that '...for amateur musicians there will be a total ban. So for the foreseeable future there will be no brass bands, no youth orchestras, no choral societies, no community choruses...etc'. As yet I haven't been able to find official confirmation of this. The physicality of music making presents specific challenges for safety.

The last HYM was 29 February! HYM will refund all payments for cancelled rehearsals. If parents prefer, HYM can retain payments made during the lockdown to offset fees for next year. In order for Aideen to start this process, she needs all parents to complete a short online form by 9am 13 July.

Online Form Link: https://forms.gle/SeF41QBzgtQ6GZiz6

I thought one practical way of starting next year would be to begin with sectional rehearsals ie smaller groups. This would be easier for HYM to manage, and also reassure parents who may have concerns about children in large groups. I have in mind Saturday 12 September, with Friday 11 September for Philharmonic, so please put this in the diary. This will be confirmed nearer the time.

The PO/CB/Cam concert at LSO St Luke’s, originally scheduled 4 April, has been rescheduled three times and is now 27 March 2021. A diary for other HYM concerts will be drawn up when the normal routine has been fully restored.

I hope you are all well and look forward very much to seeing you all in September.

Mark