Axeing region’s vital music library will only create discord

I AM writing to protest in the strongest terms about the decision to close Yorkshire Libraries and Information Music & Drama Service in April 2012.

For over 80 years this vital service has offered amateur music groups, schools, youth orchestras and choirs, individuals, music students and professional musicians one of the best collections of performing sets in the country.

It enables thousands of people to participate in music making and to enjoy live performances in their communities. It helps to support communities coming together to thrive through music making.

It has helped launch the careers of thousands of professional musicians during their preparatory years of learning and exploration.

We cannot allow this national resource to be stopped because it is not considered cost effective to be moved to the new library facility planned for YLI.

The service offered by the Music & Drama Service means that various groups I have belonged to over the years, including Escafeld Chorale and Sheffield Oratorio Chorus, have been readily able to access works and perform them to a wide audience.

This has provided invaluable social and musical activity to large numbers of group participants as well as essential musical input into the local community. It has also supported a range of professional musicians, many of them local, young and developing their careers, thereby enhancing the local economy as well.

Without the service, hundreds of amateur music groups around the country will have to source music elsewhere, at higher cost.

Many music groups will simply not be able to continue to function and less music will be performed and enjoyed by audiences.

Amateur music making is a vital part of our society; it offers a very low-cost way of collective participation in an activity that is proven to improve health, both physical and mental, and emotional well-being.

The loss will therefore have a direct impact on the health and well-being of all the communities that use it across the country.