College urged to rethink course closures
The mother of a Lincoln student hit by the sudden closure of courses by Lincoln College is urging bosses to rethink their plans.
As reported yesterday courses on the degree programme at the School of Instrument Craft have been withdrawn – these train future piano technicians and woodwind specialists and craftspeople making violins and guitars.
Protestors claim this will impact the global music industry while college bosses say the move is necessary to ensure the establishment’s future as the school has run at a ‘substantial’ loss over the last three years.
The school is at Newark College, which is part of the Lincoln College Group and it has announced there would be no new intake of students onto the musical craft courses in 2025 and 2026.
The college’s statement can be read in yesterday’s article.
Dahlia Lee, whose son Oscar is on the foundation violin-making course and had been accepted on to the degree course that has now closed.
“Although the college statement is that the students have been signposted to other options realistically there are no other fully comparable courses in the UK.
“The Newark school is unique and vital for the musical instrument making and technician industry, so this decision, which came out of nowhere to the students as a complete shock swiping away their offered university places, is a devastating blow to not only the students and the phenomenal course staff, but to a crucial heritage craft.
“The effects are far more widely reaching than Lincoln College can possibly realise, or they would never have made this decision. The college may be saving money but they are losing a prestigious component of their portfolio, and with it the faith and respect of their students, the local community and the musical instrument industry.
Everyone involved in music, instrument making, playing, learning, and listening, from children picking up their first violin or woodwind instrument, to experienced luthiers, piano technicians and virtuoso musicians and their appreciative audiences, all rely on this course continuing. Lincoln College needs to recognise the negative impact on the arts and heritage crafts and rethink their catastrophic decision - it is worth their investment.”
A petition has been launched also urging a rethink and has been signed (at the time of publication) by 8,200 people – 1,200 more since yesterday.
The following statement has also been issued by Musical Instrument Craft Student representatives.
Students and alumni of Newark’s School of Musical Instrument Crafts are calling on Lincoln College to reverse its recent decision to suspend student intake.
The announcement, made last week, has sent shockwaves through the international community of instrument makers and musicians. Newark is recognised as unique in the UK, and top in the world in teaching violin, guitar, piano, and woodwind making and restoration.
The School of Musical Instrument Crafts, currently part of Lincoln College and validated by the University of Hull, was opened in 1972 by Lord Yehudi Menuhin. A cello was made and presented to King Charles III when he visited the school in 1982. The school has trained generations of highly skilled craftspeople. The sudden suspension threatens not only the future of the courses but also the continuation of fine craft skills in the UK.
We were devastated to hear that no new students will be accepted,” said a current student. “Many of us chose Newark because of its world-class reputation. This decision risks eroding skills and knowledge which should be preserved for future generations as part of the UK’s cultural heritage.”
Current students, alumni and industry professionals are urging Lincoln College and the University of Hull to:
* Honour existing offers made to incoming students and allow them to begin their studies as planned;
* Secure the short- and long-term future of all four instrument craft qualifications;
* Maintain accessibility through continued funding and clear progression pathways for students from all backgrounds.
Supporters are encouraged to speak out, sign and share the online petition, and advocate for the preservation of this unique and irreplaceable institution. Further details will be released as this campaign develops.
Petition: https://chng.it/4B8xJwPsfZ