Sacred music is ‘under threat’ as live singing ban remains in place

RELIGIOUS music is “under threat”, hundreds of musicians, composers and directors have warned, after the Government banned singing and advised churches to play recordings. A coalition of more than 200 leading figures in the music world have warned that, while the emergency funding for the arts announced last week was “hugely welcome”, “the work of church and synagogue musicians across the country is still under serious threat, with some professional choirs already facing permanent disbandment”.

They add: “We need clear steps to be taken towards the reinstatement of musicians’ work in religious services.”

In a letter to The Daily Telegraph – signed by signatories including composers Bob Chilcott and Roxanna Panufnik, and Anna Lapwood, director of music at Pembroke College, Cambridge – the industry figures call on the Government “to speed up the return to work of church and synagogue musicians, many of whom are at risk of losing their jobs, or have already done so”.

Their comments echo those of choirmasters and conductors who have criticised the ban on singing in churches as based on “assumptions, not science”.

The letter continues: “Many of us already work in a way that is very socially distanced – singing from balconies and organ lofts. Yet the Government has issued an un-nuanced statement regarding singing in places of worship: if possible, don’t do it. They have even suggested churches should replace musicians with recordings. If this happens, will live music making in places of worship ever return? We want, and need, to get back to work keeping the great choral tradition in this country alive. Please allow us to do so.”

A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: “We recognise the importance of choirs and musicians to religious services and are working with partners to assess how these activities can be managed safely.”