The BBC Proms fights for its future

Hurt by arts cuts, gender balance criticisms, and a post-Brexit lack of musicians from Europe, this year’s event is rife with insecurity. But, says Hattie Butterworth, there is also defiant innovation

- Hattie Butterworth

THE BBC Proms, a two-month takeover of the Royal Albert Hall, is not simply a festival but an annual reflection of the health and confidence of classical music in the country. This year, the Proms finds itself in a moment of insecurity. With arts cuts badly affecting major London ensembles and organisations, a lack of musicians coming from Europe, and a failure to achieve gender balance, there are questions over the sustainability of its future; but also defiance.

“To close an ensemble is without doubt the hardest thing I have had to do in my career,” said Simon Webb, head of BBC Orchestras and Choirs on March 7 as it was announced that the BBC Singers, the only full-time chamber choir in the UK, was no longer in line with the BBC’s future plan for classical music.

Less than two months later — following petitions, high-profile support and accusations of “cultural vandalism” — the decision to close the group was suspended. The choir won back its viability, and was instead invited to sing at no less than five BBC Proms concerts at this year’s festival. Shot into stardom, the potential closure of the BBC Singers now means holding onto them ever more tightly.

It gives a glimpse into arts-cuts land. Beg for the arts — convince us that you actually want to see people perform, and, who knows, we might listen. Otherwise, risk their closure. Conductor Sir Simon Rattle made it clear in an interview with a newspaper that he is less sure that the BBC mean what they say about saving the BBC Singers, saying: “It’s obvious that the cuts will all be back on the table as soon as the Proms are over. They were just worried about protests and demonstrations.”