BBC Singers: petition to save the choir explained, has BBC suspended its decision?

The BBC has suspended its decision to scrap the BBC Singers choir chamber after pressure from musicians and the public
The Proms at The Royal Albert HallThe Proms at The Royal Albert Hall
The Proms at The Royal Albert Hall

The BBC has suspended its decision to scrap the BBC Singers choir chamber.

The corporation also confirmed that the BBC Singers will appear at this year’s Proms concerts after rumours of a boycott.

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The BBC had previously announced plans to close down the BBC Singers choir as part of its cost cutting measures, which prompted an angry response across the music industry.

Senior members of the UK choral industry described the proposals at the time as something which sent a “bleak message” to young musicians hoping to break into the profession.

But why did the BBC originally decide to scrap the BBC Singers and what has been said following the U turn?

Here is everything you need to know.

What has the BBC said?

The BBC confirmed on Friday 24 March that it had suspended its original proposal to close the BBC Singers choir, while it actively explores alternative funding models.

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A statement said: “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.”

The BBC also addressed concerns over a potential boycott ahead of the Proms later this year and confirmed that the BBC Singers will appear as planned.

The BBC added: “We can also confirm that the Singers will appear in this year’s BBC Proms. We know that the BBC Singers are much loved across the classical community for their professionalism, quality and standing has never been in question. We have said throughout these were difficult decisions.”

The Musicians Union has held a number of intense discussions with the BBC over the last few weeks and it plans to hold further talks with the BBC to ensure the ensemble has a secure future.

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Jo Laverty of the Musicians Union said: “The weeks since the BBC’s announcement have impacted all the individuals affected in the most brutal way. We are right behind every member affected, as as we enter the negotiations we will be consulting our members in the Singers and BBC Orchestras to ensure the outcome is as positive as possible for all.”

What is the BBC Singers

The BBC Singers are a British chamber choir which were founded in 1924. They are the only full time professional British choir. It is one of the six BBC performing groups and the BBC Singers are based at the Maida Vale Studios in London. Its singers feature in live concerts, radio transmissions and educational workshops.

The BBC Singers regularly perform alongside leading international orchestras and conductors and they have appeared at a range of national events including the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Reaction from the BBC singers

The announcement to scrap the BBC Singers earlier this month attracted widespread attention and criticism from a number of figures including the BBC’s own musical institutions.

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More than 125,000 people signed a petition to save the BBC Singers and a letter was signed by the broadcasters most senior conductors including Sakari Oramo, Ryan Bancroft and Ryan Wigglesworth.

Sakari Oramo said at the time: “I am disgusted by the BBC’s announcements. The axing of BBC Singers is an action of blatant vandalism.”

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