BBC’S century-old choir falls silent after job cuts
‘Devastating’ end for ensemble that offered free concerts and outreach work in schools
THE BBC is closing down the BBC Singers choir after almost 100 years as part of a “devastating” round of cuts.
The salary bill of the corporation’s three English orchestras, the BBC Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra, will be cut by 20 per cent. This means a large number of job losses – the BBC is seeking voluntary redundancies – with permanent members replaced by freelance musicians.
“This is the first major review of classical music at the BBC in a generation. This new strategy is bold, ambitious, and good for the sector and for audiences who love classical music,” said Charlotte Moore, the BBC’S chief content officer. That doesn’t mean that we haven’t had to make some difficult decisions, but equally they are the right ones for the future.”
The BBC said that using freelance musicians would be more “flexible and adaptable”, giving rise to “agile ensembles that can work creatively”. The BBC Singers were formed in 1924 as the Wireless Chorus. Based at the BBC’S Maida Vale studios, they perform each year at the Proms and also give free concerts around the country including outreach work in schools.
Simon Webb, the BBC’S head of orchestras and choirs, said it was “a very painful decision” to close the choir, which will result in the loss of 20 equivalent full-time posts. It affects 24 people.
“It is not a decision any of us were looking to make but the question we ask consistently is: how do we best invest the resources that we have, that deliver for our audiences?” he said.
“We looked very carefully at the numbers and how that work is delivered. The work that singers do is very high quality – this is not a question of quality.”
The changes are about “future-proofing our offer” past the licence fee settlement, which provides funding to 2027, Mr Webb said.
The 20 per cent cost reduction across the orchestras and choirs equates to a saving in the region of £5million.
Under the proposals, the BBC Concert and Symphony orchestras will be run by one director, although Mr Webb insisted that they would maintain their separate identities.
Eleanor Minney, a member of the choir, said: “I have been a very proud employee of the BBC, and even prouder member of the BBC Singers for almost nine years. I’m speechless.”
A petition calling on the BBC to reverse its decision drew 2,500 signatures within hours of the announcement.
The Musicians’ Union is holding talks with BBC management. Naomi Pohl, its general secretary, described the proposed cuts as “utterly devastating”.
Jo Laverty, responsible for orchestras within the union, said: “The MU does not think that these proposals are the answer to the BBC’S need to find savings.” The BBC Welsh and Scottish orchestras will remain unchanged.