MU: Musicians’ faith in the BBC has been undermined

MU: Musicians’ faith in the BBC has been undermined

News

norman lebrecht

April 04, 2023

The Musicians Union has responded to the BBC leaked document published today on slippedisc.com.

Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl (pictured) said: ‘The musicians employed by the BBC’s Performing Groups have had a terrible month since the BBC made its ill-advised announcement proposing to close the BBC Singers and make 20% job cuts in its English orchestras.

‘Since then, nothing material has significantly changed. There are still no concrete plans for the future of the BBC Singers and our members’ jobs at the BBC Concert, Philharmonic and Symphony orchestras are still under threat.

‘These additional proposals, which seem to have been shared in error, have further undermined our members’ faith in the BBC and have made engaging in meaningful talks more difficult still.’

Read on here.

Comments

  • Tony says:

    What a bunch of incompetents.

    If anyone played in an orchestra as badly or sang as hopelessly as this, they would be out of the door so fast because it would be so obvious, and so embarrassing for everyone.

    What it is to be in management.

    • Ciprian says:

      Important to bear in mind that Simon Webb is a former orchestral musician who decided to try his hand at management without much prior experience or (clearly) aptitude. He’s since risen far above his level of incompetence.

      All the professional orchestral managers I know who have worked with him have been unanimous in condemning his ineptitude – but it is, unfortunately, not uncommon for orchestral players to imagine that management must be easy. We see the results here.

  • Franz says:

    The BBC founded a training orchestra in Bristol many years ago. They didn’t really support it and eventually ditched it. This is just a means of getting rid of the BBC Phil. Simon Webb is a cellist he should not be involved in this

    • McBaldy says:

      Plenty of rich people play instruments, but to maintain their wealth they need to cut the labour from which they derive profit. It’s a typical manner in which music is framed as a “excess” only to be indulged in by those who have the means, but not really supported as a career path.

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