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Take action against BBC cuts to classical music

The BBC is proposing to disband the BBC Singers and cut its three English orchestras by 20% as part of a new Classical Music Strategy. The BBC is the single biggest employer of musicians in the UK and the ISM believes that a BBC classical music strategy should not involve axing some of its finest musicians. Responding to the announcement, ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts said, ‘Today’s announcement to disband BBC Singers and severely cut the number of salaried positions in the BBC Orchestras will be devastating for the BBC, musicians, and classical music in this country.' (read our full response to the announcement).

Help us to change the BBC's mind by taking one or more of the following actions:

Write to your MP

You can write to your MP to ask them to speak out against the cuts. We have provided a template letter, or you can use your own arguments and talk about why the BBC's classical music programming is important to you personally. You can find your MP on the Parliament website.

Write to your MP using our template letter

Complain to the BBC Board

You can write to the BBC Chairman Richard Sharp and the BBC Board to tell them your concerns and ask them to intervene in these cuts. You may wish to tell them how important the classical music the BBC produces is to you personally. The ISM has written to the BBC Board and you may wish to use our template letter as inspiration. Contact the BBC Board.

Complain to the BBC Board using our template letter

Sign the BBC Singers' petition

A petition calling for the BBC Singers to be saved already has over 100,000 signatures. Add your name via the button below.

Sign the petition to save the BBC Singers

Have your say on social media

Let your friends and followers know that you're unhappy about the proposed changes on your social media pages. Here are some key points you may wish to consider making:

  • The BBC's new classical music strategy will see some of the finest musicians in the world lose their jobs - and that's wrong
  • The planned disbandment of the BBC Singers and cuts to the BBC's English orchestras are nothing short of cultural vandalism
  • Disbanding the BBC Singers and cutting orchestra salaried staff will harm the BBC's reputation
  • The BBC must think again and put its musicians at the heart of its classical music strategy