What you can do to save the BBC Singers and orchestral musicians

   

You may not be aware that the BBC plans to cut a significant number of musicians it has on its books. To do so will – make no bones about it – result in listeners and concertgoers missing out on hearing a group of hugely talented performers.

The controversy swirling around their summary departure grows by the day. They’ll be gone in a couple of months’ time, months before their centenary celebrations.

The past seven days have seen a whole range of industry experts explaining what impact the loss of the BBC Singers and other musicians the BBC employs will have on the impact of the classical music industry and on music education as a whole.

But, because of the unique way the BBC is funded, decision-makers within the Corporation are more inclined to listen to Licence Fee Payers than they are to the industry itself.

So, if you care about classical music, if you care about live performance, and you care about the livelihoods of human beings whose talents are second to none, please do one of the following (listed in order of priority):

  1. Submit a complaint to the BBC’s Complaints department
  2. Write to Director General Tim Davie
  3. Write to Charlotte Moore, the Chief Content Office at the BBC
  4. Write to Lorna Clarke, the Head of Radio and Music at the BBC
  5. Write to your MP

The BBC has an obligation to respond to emails to its complaints department. It is motivated by meeting the needs of its audience. Consequently, it is more likely to respond to complaints or feedback from Licence Fee Payers.

Alternatively, email Director General Tim Davie (timdavieoffice@bbc.co.uk), Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore (charlotte.moore@bbc.co.uk), or Head of Music Lorna Clarke (lorna.clarke@bbc.co.uk).

Suggested text for a complaint to BBC Complaints (go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint and select ‘General’):

I am writing to complain about the proposed cuts to the BBC Singers and musicians in the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, and BBC Concert Orchestras.

I’ve enjoyed listening to these performers on BBC Radio 2, 3 and at the BBC Proms. I’m disappointed to see how you don’t value the contribution they make to your programming and to the wider community.

Please reconsider your plans and reinstate the BBC Singers and musicians in the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, and BBC Concert Orchestras.

Suggested text to raise this issue with an MP. To find the contact details of your MP go here.

I am writing to ask you to use your voice in Parliament to raise an issue I care deeply about.

You may be aware of the BBC’s proposed cuts to the BBC Singers and other musicians in the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, and BBC Concert Orchestras.

I’ve enjoyed listening to these performers on BBC Radio 2, 3 and at the BBC Proms. I’m disappointed to see how the BBC doesn’t value the contribution those musicians make to their output and to the wider community. These musicians are the manifestation of the BBC’s public service commitment.

I call on you to raise this in a debate in Parliament in order to ensure that this core public service is retained in the BBC’s activities. Music is enjoyed by all. The BBC shouldn’t be allowed to abandon so many musicians so summarily.