BBC back-tracks on BBC Singers proposal

   

It’s a carefully worded statement, but it appears that the BBC is back-tracking on its planned closure of the BBC Singers.

“The BBC has received approaches from a number of organisations offering alternative funding models for the BBC Singers. We have agreed with the Musicians’ Union that we will suspend the proposal to close the BBC Singers, while we actively explore these options. If viable, these alternative options would secure the future of the ensemble.

We can also confirm the Singers will appear in this year’s BBC Proms.

We know that the BBC Singers are much loved across the classical community and their professionalism, quality and standing has never been in question. We have said throughout these were difficult decisions. Therefore, we want to fully explore the options that have been brought to us to see if there is another way forward. The BBC still needs to make savings and still plans to invest more widely in the future of choral singing across the UK.

The BBC, as the biggest commissioner of music and one of the biggest employers of musicians in the country, recognises it has a vital role to play in supporting orchestral and choral music.

We will continue to engage with the Musicians’ Union about our proposals on the BBC’s English Orchestras. We are committed to meaningful consultation and to avoiding compulsory redundancies, wherever possible.”

In an email I’ve seen to staff, Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore added, “I recognise that this has been a very difficult time for our performing groups – particularly our BBC Singers colleagues – and has generated some strong feelings with staff and in the industry, which we are listening to.” Glad to hear it.

Mezzo Eleanor Minney from the BBC Singers posted this on Twitter earlier today.

What’s an Absolute Epic Relief is that the BBC has listened to the considerable noise generated about the organisation’s cone-headed decision-making for as long as the BBC Proms season this year, replanning events to include the BBC Singers in the concert list.

The option of alternative funding for the group is an interesting option which certainly hadn’t dawned on me or figured in any of the conversations I’ve had with people over recent weeks. I hope that these plans are viable.

I’m cautious however. Its not a wholesale reversal of decisions. It’s a suspension of a proposal. That’s an incredibly carefully worded statement (perhaps reassuringly so in comparison to the original press release about the ‘Agile’ Strategy. I don’t see any budging on the English Orchestras musicians being made redundant which is equally problematic for those ensembles too.

For now though, it feels like there’s a bit of a breathing space not only for those who care but also for the BBC. Because after all, the BBC is about to launch the Proms for this year. They don’t want any unpleasant-ness to overshadow that.