Heralded for over four decades as a cornerstone of musical education in southern Dublin, Newpark Academy of Music is set to shut down by this month’s end. The decision was communicated to the academy’s 42 employees earlier in the week, citing the institution’s “non-viable financial and trading status”.
The board has extensively analysed its financial, legal and accountancy standings and has resolved to wrap up Newpark Academy of Music’s operations by the closure of the academic term on June 1st, 2024. This was stated in an email that was disseminated on Wednesday.
Presently, the institution, having almost 600 registered students, offers programmes in jazz studies, instrumental coaching and hosts several choirs and music groups.
The conclusion of current course cycles is guaranteed but the possibility of summer courses scheduled at Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock’s locale, remains in doubt.
Hilda Chan, the Academy director confessed that the sudden news left the staff in a state of disbelief, with feelings of hurt stemming from the perceived lack of dialogue with the board. Despite the board’s request to halt student re-admissions for the ensuing term in February, the subsequent instruction received was the unsettling email announcing the institution’s impending shut down on Wednesday.
The news triggered shock, worry and tension, Ms. Chan admitted. “Post-Covid, a recovery path was carved out, despite the struggles of returning to live music and one-on-one sessions. We were successful in increasing enrolment. Demand for lessons and courses is high. Our business remains robust and sustainable. If enrolments were dwindling, understandable; but it isn’t so,” she expressed.
Ms. Chan conveys her intentions of doing everything within her power to perpetuate the academy’s work, albeit from a different location. Talking about Newpark’s legacy, Ms. Chan stated, “Newpark is synonymous with a rich legacy in music education – our staff, adept and well-trained and with incredible experience, some spanning up to forty years.”
The Newpark Academy of Music, a prominent community music education hub, has a long-standing history of nurturing generations of talent, many of whom have gone on to enjoy successful professional careers. Enabling outreach and accommodation for other music entities without physical spaces is a key part of their operations. However, as reported by Kevin Brady, the head of the jazz department, the staff only found out about the closure nine days in advance, and there’s a shared belief that there was a lack of transparency surrounding the decision made. Brady emphasised that according to employment law, consultations must occur 30 days prior to dismissal notice being issued, and that the need for an inclusive consultation process is mandated.
The academy, headquartered in Melfield House, a two-century-old edifice bought by Michael and Joyce Classon in 1968 and later converted into a charitable trust, happens to be a historical site. It was previously the site of Avoca & Kingstown Junior School till its shutdown in 1986, post which it’s been occupied by the music academy.
Attempts to reach out to the board of directors of the academy for a comment are ongoing.