Exclusive: BBC reassures Proms musicians

An end-of-Proms message has been sent to musicians employed by the BBC, assuring them of their value to the organisation.

It is signed by Simon Webb, head of orchestras (pic), who earlier this year tried to demolish the BBC Singers and the BBC Concert Orchestra, and by the emollient Sam Jackson, post-furore controller of Radio 3.

They say:

We’re mindful that 2023 has been a challenging year for our BBC musicians. We are very grateful to you for everything you do and trust you feel encouraged by the reaction of the audience at this year’s Proms where we saw so clearly how much the BBC’s classical music offering is valued.

We hope this update is helpful.

Mindful, eh? No word of regret from those who made it such a ‘challenging’ year.