BBC offers reassurance on future of classical music

The BBC has said it is securing a “creatively and financially sustainable future” for the BBC Concert Orchestra and has advised BBC Singers to “continue to make bookings and plans for the future” in a letter addressed to the Musicians Union (MU).

The letter, shared on the MU’s website says, over the last three months, there has been significant collaboration and progress on how the broadcaster can meet the objectives of its classical music review and provide a sustainable future for its performing groups.

The BBC had been seeking alternative funding arrangements for its in-house orchestras after retreating on plans to axe BBC Singers and reduce funding to its orchestras, following a widespread backlash. More recently, BBC Chief Content Officer said the classical music budget will aim to have a greater impact on education and reaching new audiences.

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The latest update gives reassurance for the BBC Singers to “make plans for the future, including celebrating their centenary in 2024”.

The letter also confirms the BBC is in “confidential discussions with prospective partners” for the choir, on the basis that “any viable arrangement would need to provide on-going and full-time salaried employment for the BBC Singers”.

“We are committed to sharing any proposals with the unions and the BBC Singers’ as soon as these discussions reach an appropriate stage,” the letter continues.

It has also been confirmed the BBC Concert Orchestra will continue to be London-based, while still performing and rehearsing in venues across London and the UK.

The letter concludes by stating the BBC’s intent to focus on four key areas to support the future of its performing groups for the rest of the year.

These are: pursuing the possibility of claiming Orchestral Tax Relief; increasing both the income and digital presence of its performing groups; reviewing terms and conditions to unlock opportunities in supporting education; and increasing third party work.

MU General Secretary, Noami Pohl, said the union is pleased to be making progress with the BBC on a range of important issues for its 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,” Pohl added.

“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.”

Concert Orchestra in new partnership

The publication of the letter comes as the BBC Concert Orchestra announces a new partnership with the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent university.

The partnership will see the orchestra offer students of both institutions performance, composition and production experiences, as well as outreach work to schools and local communities through projects designed to improve the wellbeing of people and develop music education in Nottingham.

Jo Laverty, MU National Organiser Orchestras, says the new partnership is “a brilliant example of how carefully forged and considered creative partnerships can be integrated into communities”.

“These conversations about partnerships, education and venues have taken six years to bear fruit and are an example of how detailed these discussions need to be,” Laverty added.

“What is very exciting is a partnership that doesn’t hinge on relocation but on delivering to those audiences and communities across the East of England which is surely the most important thing.

“Arts Council England could do well to take note in regard to their current unrealistic demands on English National Opera.”