Many prominent UK musicians have taken to Twitter with their reaction, while an online petition is approaching 20,000 signatures <\/p>
There has been widespread reaction to the news that the BBC is to disband the BBC Singers<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n As we reported yesterday, the BBC has released a new strategy for classical music, which aims \u2018to strengthen the BBC\u2019s public purpose for classical music, delivering the best music to a wider audience, with a significant new investment in music education\u2019.<\/p>\n The most significant changes announced were the closure of the BBC Singers<\/a><\/strong> (pictured), meaning that around 20 full-time posts will be made redundant.<\/p>\n Based at BBC Maida Vale Studios in London, the BBC Singers is one of the six BBC Performing Groups and features in live concerts, radio transmissions, recordings and education workshops, including annual appearances at the BBC Proms<\/a><\/strong>. It is due to celebrate its centenary in 2024.<\/p>\n The strategy also included a planned reduction in salaried posts across the BBC\u2019s three English Orchestras, the BBC Symphony Orchestra<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0BBC Concert Orchestra<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0BBC Philharmonic<\/strong><\/a>. There will be a reduction of around 20 per cent of these salaried posts, made through a voluntary redundancy programme, with a greater focus on employing freelance players.<\/p>\n Both decisions have already provoked considerable reaction across the music community.<\/p>\n A petition on change.org<\/strong><\/a>, demanding that the BBC reverse its decision to close the BBC Singers, already has more than 19,000 signatures.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, many prominent figures in UK classical music have taken to Twitter to give their views on both the disbanding of BBC Singers and the cuts to the three English BBC orchestras.<\/p>\n Sakari Oramo, chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, said that he was \u2018disgusted\u2019 by the announcements, calling the axing of BBC Singers \u2018blatant vandalism\u2019. The orchestra redundancies, said Oramo, amounted to \u2018a slap to the face of Britain\u2019s orchestra culture and the devoted work of our excellent musicians.\u2019<\/p>\n I am disgusted by the @BBC<\/a> announcements today. The axing of @BBCSingers<\/a> is an action of blatant vandalism. The “voluntary” redundancy affecting @BBCSO<\/a> @BBCPhilharmonic<\/a> @BBCCO<\/a> a slap to the face of Britain’s orchestra culture and the devoted work of our excellent musicians.<\/p>\u2014 Sakari Oramo \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@oramsa) March 7, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>