BBC suspends proposal to shut down BBC Singers

The BBC has this morning released a statement saying that its decision to shut down the BBC Singers will be suspended while the broadcaster explores ‘alternative funding options’. The BBC has also confirmed that the Singers will perform in this year’s BBC Proms.

This news follows a widespread public response to the announcement earlier this month that the BBC would be closing down the choir and introducing redundancies across its English orchestras. As well as a petition which has reached over 147,000 signatures, the UK classical music sector also saw the publication of a series of open letters from conductors, music organisations and amateur choirs across the UK and beyond calling for the choir to be saved.

In this morning’s statement the BBC 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. 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 and the other BBC Unions about our proposals on the BBC’s English Orchestras. We are committed to meaningful consultation and to avoiding compulsory redundancies, wherever possible.’

The Musicians' Union (MU) has has responded positively to the broadcaster's change of heart. General secretary Naomi Pohl said: ‘The outpouring of love for the BBC Singers and Orchestras over the past few weeks has been incredible and we know our members are hugely grateful for all the support they've received. We hope the BBC recognises the real quality and value they bring to the UK's music industry, international music makers and fans and BBC Licence fee payers who will be keener than ever to see them in action live and via broadcast. The work they do in music education is also crucial. They are frankly irreplaceable.’

Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) described this move as 'a positive step'. Chief executive Deborah Annetts, said: ‘We are delighted and relieved that the BBC Singers are not facing immediate closure. This is the right decision and we thank the BBC for listening to the sector. The international outrage over the decision shows just how popular the BBC Singers are across the globe. We are concerned about the proposal to look at new models of funding and urge the BBC to find a solution that secures the long-term future of the group.'