The BBC has announced that the BBC Singers has a sustainable plan for its future, having gained support from a third party, The VOCES8 Foundation. As part of this agreement, the BBC Singers staff will continue to be employed and be funded by the BBC, but will draw on The VOCES8 Foundation's experience in music education and community engagement for its outreach programmes. It is not yet clear what the partnership will involve, but there is no financial support currently secured.
The BBC will 'continue to identify new opportunities for additional revenue for the ensemble' as it celebrates its centenary this year.
This announcement is in response to significant outcry from the UK public and music industry, after the BBC announced that it would be closing the BBC Singers as part of its BBC Classical Review in March 2023. This was due to difficulties with funding for the BBC's orchestras and choirs. The BBC decided to suspend its decision to close its in-house chamber choir following widespread criticism, exploring alternative funding models.
The BBC's statement today says that it is 'pursuing an Orchestral Tax Relief application which will be central in ensuring the sustainability of the six groups amid the BBC's ongoing financial challenges.'
The BBC has worked with the Musicians' Union to consider opportunities for the BBC's orchestras and choirs over the past months.
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