Earlier in the week, a peek at the Newpark Academy of Music’s website wouldn’t have revealed the turmoil unfolding within. Overflowing with vibrant classes and activities, the music school in Blackrock, County Dublin, appeared to be hustling and bustling. However, the NAM board declared on May 22 that the prestigious 45-year-old music institution was set to shut down on June 1, in a mere ten-day span.
Hilda Chan, the Executive Director, was nearing the end of her maternity break when she discovered this stupefying news, just an hour before the board informed parents and patrons of their decision. The move resulted after serious contemplation and drawing on financial, accounting, and legal counsel. Marked as regretful by the board, the closure was an extreme step but was declared to be of utmost importance. During these trying times, the board voiced its deep gratitude for continued understanding and support. In the sphere of music, it was akin to a caesura – an abrupt halt.
Further information shared by the board on June 5 elucidated that the academy had been grappling with significant financial difficulties for quite some time, despite temporary financial improvements during Covid due to governmental aid. In the longer run, however, the academy was deemed unsustainable. Halting trading would pave the way for an organised shutdown, giving staff, teachers, and students time to find alternative options during the summer break.
The news left the 600 plus students and the chiefly part-time working staff of 42 members taken aback. According to Chan, the board suggested a halt on new admissions in February, but there was no dialogue around fiscal challenges or prospective steps. Chan shared these insights during a meeting held at the Newtownpark Pastoral Centre, attended by a multitude of stakeholders and political representatives, both local and national, on June 11.
Established in 1979, the music academy was situated in Melfield House, a building from the 1790s, and on the grounds of the Newpark Comprehensive School in Blackrock. The NAM board includes four members: Eoin Norton (Principal of Newpark Comprehensive), Jonathan Chawke (ex-parent nominee on the Comprehensive’s board), Amy Morrison (ex-music teacher at the Comprehensive) and solicitor Sinéad Gleeson.
Known for their distinguished jazz repertoire and education, NAM has made significant contributions in terms of individual and group music lessons for learners of all ages. This includes the young ones, adolescents, and adults. Over its extensive 45 years of service, it has seen numerous individuals make strides in music. Notable alumni feature Hozier, vocalists like Aoife Doyle and Lauren Kinsella, and renowned drummers like Rory Doyle and Sean Carpio. NAM’s celebrated jazz course found a new home in 2017 at Dublin City University.
NAM has built a respected reputation within the community through the years, as echoed by Chan. A testament to its significant role in society, as scores of family members and educators have been part of its journey. Insights from Deborah Kelleher, the Royal Irish Academy of Music’s (RIAM) director, underline the essence of a music community, while highlighting the grim aftermath if a school with 600 pupils ceases its operations. She predicts that half of its students might quit in such an event.
Following an abrupt disclosure that caught many off guard, a structured and potent campaign emerged. The movement, called Save Newpark Music Working Group, features a host of heavyweight supporters in the music industry. Among them are Chan, Kelleher from RIAM, conductor David Brophy, Catherine Griffin who specialises in communications, Kevin Brady who heads NAM’s jazz department and is a professional drummer, former NCH head Judith Woodworth, Des Crowther who brings non-profit expertise, Alyssa Filardo, a NAM staff, and Anne Woodworth from NAM’s founding team. Anne fondly recalls similar scenarios that unfolded about two decades back when she was leading the Waterford Institute of Technology’s music school. Despite an abrupt decision to close it, a vigorous public campaign supported by educators and musicians across the nation all fought to revive it, and succeeded. She poses a question as to why the NAM board assumed that their 600 students’ relatives and 42 staff members would indifferently accept the decision.
Concerns were raised about the building’s licence. Additionally, allegations about failure to fulfill legal obligations by not notifying the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment about redundancies surfaced. This resulted in the involvement of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
A petition, email campaign and international support from music schools have all come into play to save NAM, the not-for-profit music academy that is embroiled in a legal battle with its board of directors. Lawyers from Arthur Cox were brought onboard at no charge to organise a conversation between the board and supporters of NAM. Richard Boyd Barrett of the People Before Profit-Solidarity party, called for Minister of Education Norma Foley’s intervention. James Browne, stepping in for her, dismissed the call as NAM is privately owned and thus not within his department’s jurisdiction. In Barrett’s words, a clear case of ‘pass the buck’.
Effectively married to the music centre in many ways, the school provides a scheme whereby its members can avail of music lessons at discounted rates. Senator Barry Ward of Fine Gael highlighted that the lease of the premises, known as Newpark campus, is held by the Department of Education. He believes it is the department’s duty to protect the interests of the acclaimed school. NAM has operated from Melfield House since 1989, under a licence granted by Newpark Comprehensive.
This licence can only be revoked by Newpark Comprehensive and requires approval from the minister plus a grace period for NAM to seek alternative premises. It seems the licence has not been legally terminated, thereby granting NAM the rights to remain for now but questions loom over the academy’s existence. Although no rent is due under the licence, a 5 per cent surplus was stipulated however, this was infrequently realised, with no demands from the school. Responsibility for Melfield House’s maintenance, from fundamental operations to basic aesthetics lies with NAM. The adjacent Newpark Comprehensive shifted their base to a carefully crafted and well-furnished school on the same campus in 2016.
The board of management of The Comprehensive held a pre-planned meeting this past Wednesday. Upon being asked if their discussions included anything related to the music academy or the plans for Melfield House, the board refrained from commenting, stating that an approved report of the assembly’s proceedings will be posted on the internet.
The board of NAM was contacted for clarification and released a statement through a public relations firm, referencing long-standing monetary difficulties and operational losses, and in spite of brief relief from Covid subsidies, the long-term viability of the enterprise is questionable. Currently, the NAM’s online presence has been taken down.
Chan, in her capacity as the executive director, asserts that student enrollments had been on an upward trajectory, thereby proving that the academy was still an operational business. She emphasised the inflow of students, the addition of courses and the expansion in enrollments as evidence of financial stability.
In contrast, Kelleher of RIAM cites vast experience in omnibus management of a music school to affirm that it operates as a non-profit organisation and is not designed to generate substantial profits. The institution is bound to have alternating periods of profit and loss owing to varying circumstances. However, she insists that an ongoing entity must maintain certain operational standards. The latest financial reports for 2022 denote it is still functioning, adding that they’re keen to understand why such a dramatic shift was necessary, from running to shutting down. While financial concerns remain unresolved, she believes there are no significant changes made in the past year that would warrant this action. Her team is eager to study this information in detail, in hopes of identifying the problems, and establishing what measures need to be taken to regain stability.
The closure of the Newpark Academy of Music has instigated accusations towards the Department of passing the responsibility to others.
The fiscal reports of 2022 pointed to a financial loss of €31,972, a stark contrast to the surplus of €206,702 recorded in 2021. This amount was consequently rolled over into the reserves collection. At the end of the financial year, directors expressed their satisfaction with both the reserve and the financial standing of the corporation. July of 2022 showed total assets valued at €317,787 (an increase from the prior year’s €273,906), total liabilities of €199,965 (up from €124,112 in 2021), and a net asset value of €117,822 (compared to 2021’s net liabilities of €149,794).
The audited 2023 accounts are yet to be presented, which could potentially offer insights regarding the closure decision and justify whether the decision was warranted. The deadline for submitting the 2023 accounts is slated for June 26th. Newpark Music Centre Company had arranged a congregational meeting for its partners and lenders on the 24th of June, two days prior to the deadline. However, it should be noted that there are no mandatory filing requirements for companies undergoing liquidation. The aforementioned meeting was aborted this week, a move considered positively by advocates.
A subject matter for debate has been the transparency of the liquidation decision-making process. There seems to be a disconnection from public scrutiny regarding any impending financial predicaments the organization might be dealing with. The board elucidated that several alternatives to maintain the company’s continued operations were considered; however, there was no apparent discussions involving the director or the employed staff, a deviation from the established protocol during a past financial crunch period.
For over two decades, Kevin Brady has been delivering drum lessons at the centre. He nostalgically recounts an instance in 2019 when staff was alerted by the governing board about the severe financial weak points threatening the institution’s future stability. Contrary to the current situation, the issues were laid bare in a staff meeting, engendering discussions about the possible need for discontinuation. Despite the stress, open dialogue and dedicated teamwork helped overcome the financial barriers, enabling the continuation of music classes. He reminisces how they were able to weather the storm at that time.
According to Kelleher, recent events have led to minor misunderstanding and major distress, particularly for individuals who face the potential loss of their jobs. Legally, companies must inform the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment of any imminent layoffs at least one month prior to the first dismissal, with the same period allocated for employee consultation.
[ Education Minister pressed to rescue Blackrock music academy ]
Subsequent to these events, a HR specialist stepped in and post-activity staff consultation was initiated. However, the matter has now been taken to the WRC, which is currently investigating an alleged breach of the Employment Protection Act 1977, including the obligation to inform the Minister of planned mass redundancies. If guilt is established, the WRC may launch proceedings against NAM independently.
The workgroup has expressed interest in finding common ground with the board. During a public assembly, the leadership team requested students and parents to refrain from seeking alternative options for music classes. “Our aim is for the academy to continue its operations as normal in the existing premises in September,” says Chan. He further stated the intent to collaborate with local politicians and the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown council to achieve this goal.
The working group was very pleased with the public meeting’s response. They maintained their dedication to keeping the esteemed music school operational despite past hurdles, expressing optimism that answers would be found. Newpark Music Academy is key in providing accessible music education, being one of the select institutions where auditions are not mandatory. Musician Aoife Doyle, in a recent campaign video, spoke of the school’s importance in providing local students with world-class instruction. It was stressed that the school’s continuity would ensure greater opportunities for young talents, and the Working Group pledges to advocate for future musicians.
Kelleher, at the meeting, criticized: “The board’s decision to close the school is disastrous. We believe closure is unnecessary, and we would prefer to initiate dialogue to work towards keeping it open. That’s our objective. We’re satisfied with our position, but there’s work ahead to realize that objective.”
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