The BBC has made a u-turn on its decision to close the BBC Singers, the UK’s only full-time professional chamber choir, following offers of alternative funding from ‘a number of organisations’.
The choir had been targeted by budget cuts shortly before celebrating its 100th anniversary, prompting a backlash with 140,000 people signing a petition urging the broadcaster to change its original decision.
The BBC has agreed to suspend the proposal to close the choir, while exploring alternative options that could secure the future of the ensemble. The corporation has also confirmed that the BBC Singers will appear at this year’s Proms concerts.
The news was welcomed by many in the arts world, including actor Samuel West, who tweeted: ‘This is wonderful news. Thank you @BBC for listening to reason, and music, and beauty.’
