BBC Singers to close in corporation’s ‘major review of classical music’

Reductions also made to the BBC’s three England-based orchestras as part of plan to ensure the long-term future of organisation’s remaining performing groups

The BBC has announced the closure of the BBC Singers, one of its six salaried performing groups and the UK’s only full-time professional chamber choir.

Simon Webb, the organisation’s recently appointed head of orchestras and choirs, also revealed that a 20% reduction in salaried posts of the three English orchestras (the London-based BBC Symphony and Concert Orchestras, and Manchester’s Philharmonic) is being sought through a voluntary redundancy scheme. “We are looking to reset our relationship between salaried and freelance musicians,” he said.