MU receives update on future of BBC Singers and English Orchestras

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has revealed it has received a letter from the BBC giving updates on the planned future of the broadcaster’s performance groups. The BBC has provided details on how it plans to provide a sustainable future for its performing groups, with particular focus on the future of the BBC Singers and Concert Orchestra.

In the letter, published yesterday, the BBC confirmed that it is exploring prospective partners for the BBC Singers and expects the choir to remain in operation until at least its centenary in 2024 and should 'continue to make bookings and plans for the future'. The broadcaster confirmed that the solutions it is exploring would need to provide ‘on-going and full-time salaried employment for the BBC Singers’. The MU has confirmed it expects to continue meeting with Senior BBC executives on a regular basis for consultation until the end of the year.

MU general secretary Naomi Pohl, to whom the letter was addressed, said: ‘We are pleased to be making progress with the BBC on a range of important issues for the Performing Groups. These are not issues that can be resolved quickly, which is why we are giving ourselves the rest of this year at least to work through them together. The fact remains that the BBC intends to save money, as a result of the license fee shortfall, and this is a big challenge as talks continue. However, they have demonstrated a real commitment to collaborating with us and listening to our members as we look at raising income, exploring new partnership opportunities, and additional use of the Groups within the BBC and beyond.’

The broadcaster also confirmed that the BBC Concert Orchestra will continue to be based in London and perform and rehearse across the UK. The news follows this week’s announcement of the orchestra’s new partnership with the Universities of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent. Pohl commented: ‘The partnership model is a good one, delivering stability and mutual benefit as well as preserving the existing workforce.’

MU national organiser for orchestra Jo Laverty said: ‘We must recognise that these last four months have been deeply destabilising and worrying for our members. However dreadful this period has been it has at least now put a spotlight on the value of the six BBC performing groups and the excellence of what they do.’

The BBC’s full letter to MU general secretary Naomi Pohl can be found here.