This lady is for turning, it seems.
After a barrage of outrage from music lovers, musicians and composers worldwide, UK national broadcaster the BBC has announced that it will “suspend” its decision to axe the BBC Singers.
An announcement released Friday, 24 March 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.”
The announcement also confirmed that the BBC Singers would appear in this year’s BBC Proms.
The BBC Singers. Photo supplied.
“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...
So pleased to hear of the suspension which should, hopefully, lead to abandonment of the closure. It’s so pleasing that so many people have used their voices to stop this happening … and one year before the 100th anniversary. Ridiculous.