Music industry urges government to drop choral singing restrictions

A number of leading music organisations have written to the government objecting to updated guidance that allows only six people to sing together indoors. This is because indoor singing activity should be treated the same as other non-professional music activity and indoor organised sports activity, as was the case between August and December 2020. This campaign has been supported by The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM), Making Music, the Association of British Choral Directors (ABCD), the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) and the member organisations of Singing Network UK.

 ‘It is clearly a mistake from the Government to make the guidance on indoor singing more restrictive than before the last national lockdown,’ says Deborah Annetts, chief executive of ISM.  ‘While research shows that choirs offer many benefits for mental and physical well-being, it is not simply a casual social pastime. The Government should recognise that it is an organised activity overseen by an official body that is able to implement effective safety protocols and led by professionals that want to return to work. Public health guidance should be helping the safe return of millions of singers and thousands of choirs across the country, rather than forcing the cancellation of upcoming performances.’

While the public health situation remains a concerning one, research shows that singing is no more dangerous in terms of COVID-19 transmission than shouting, speaking loudly or physical exercise. It appears that choirs are being treated as simply a social pastime, rather than an organised activity overseen by a recognised body (usually a charity or business) which is able to put effective safety protocols in place. As Barbara Eifler, CEO of Making Music (a body that represents amateur choirs) points out: ‘2.2 million singers and 40,000 choirs across the UK have been preparing to return to rehearsals this week, writing extensive risk assessments, putting a host of mitigations in place and buying singing face masks in vast quantities, only to find themselves stopped in their tracks a day after Step 3 had happened, and without warning. The government’s own research concluded last year that singing is no more dangerous than shouting. We urge the government to bring singing in terms of guidance in line with other organised activity by recognised bodies, such as non-professional music activity and indoor sports.’

Meanwhile, the restrictions on amateur choral singing are likely to have a considerable impact on professional music-making in the UK. Many of the UK’s 40,000 choirs are led by professionals who remain dependent on Government support until they can restart their professional life, along with the professional soloists who regularly appear with these choirs.The ABO director Mark Pemberton added: ‘The furore over these unexpected restrictions on singing is not confined to the amateur sector. The UK’s world-leading professional orchestras rely on amateur choruses, and as a result of these restrictions, concerts that have already been on the market, and sold out, will need to be cancelled and re-programmed.'

Unless the situation is addressed, there will be a significant negative impact on the wellbeing of over 2 million participants in singing groups across the country and the restrictions will also have a financial impact as ticket sales have to be reimbursed for upcoming performances.