St John’s College has decided to disband a mixed Anglican choir by the end of this academic year.
St John’s Voices (SJV) shared the news on their social media platforms on Tuesday. It said: “We were devastated to hear yesterday that the college has decided to disband SJV at the end of this academic year.
“We are so proud of what we have achieved over the last decade and will so miss singing together every Monday.”
In 2013, St John’s Voices was established to provide an opportunity for female students to join a choir, adding to the long-standing tradition of the St John’s College Choir, which has recently begun to welcome women and girls.
The choir's director, a paid role currently occupied by Graham Walker, is believed to be under review.
The decision has sparked controversy, with many online users calling the decision a “huge loss of opportunity for young people”.
According to The Telegraph, the college has decided to fund a “broader” range of music and will cut down on the number of chapel services held at St John’s to use the space for “civic engagement”.
Dating back to 1511, the musical tradition at the college is over 500 years old, with the current main choir established in 1670.
The Choir of St John’s College Cambridge, renowned as one of the world's premier choirs, will not be impacted by recent announcements.