Jobs that are hanging by a thread at the BBC

This morning’s announcement of a face-saving ‘solution’ for the BBC Singers changes nothing beyond next week.

The BBC will still cut one-fifth of its orchestral posts in England.

Most of those will be in London since the head of orchestras, Simon Webb, is based in Manchester and will not want to meet the faces he sacked in the canteen. What’s more, no-one at the BBC will dares= to cut assets in the regions. The result is that around 30 percent of the jobs will go at the BBC Concert Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra, leading to a fairly rapid merger of the two ensembles (which the BBC denies).

The BBC Singers are safe for this year’s Proms and possibly a year or two ahead.

It was essential to get this news out this morning so that Sam Jackson can start next week as BBC head of classical music with a clear desk, a new agenda and no blood on his hands.

Those less uncompromised are rushing to cover their backs.

Charlotte Moore, head of content, has promised to ‘book in some time in person’ with the Singers and musicians. Her position appears safe.

So, too, does Lorna Clarke’s as head of music. She ignored the concerns of the classical team and dashed off on holiday.

Less securely, Simon Webb as head of orchestras and choirs will be fingering his collar. Webb was credited with the strategy for abolishing the Singers and cutting the orchestras. It now appears that his strategy was conducted with very limited consultation, within or without the BBC, and brought down ignominy on the heads of his superiors. They’ve had a bad week, and they won’t soon forget it.

Webb’s survival plan will be to appease them with sacrifices. That will not be a pleasant spectacle and he may not last long.

Nor is anyone taking longterm bets on D-G Tim Davie who lost much credibility in his handling of the Gary Lineker and BBC Singers fiascos.  Davie will be taking calls from headhunters. His London musicians will be looking elsewhere.

pictured: The BBC Symphony’s expensive new hall