FIMs letter reflects the global significance of UK music and appreciation of Northern Ballet Sinfonia. Image credit: Shutterstock.
The International Federation of Musicians (FIM) has written to Arts Council England CEO Darren Henley in support of the Keep Northern Ballet Live campaign.
Musicians in Northern Ballet Sinfonia are campaigning to protect their touring work after Northern Ballet announced that they were being forced to consider getting rid of their live orchestra for some touring productions and replacing the musicians with recorded music.
FIM General Secretary Benoît Machuel writes: “To replace musicians with a recording would constitute a significant cultural regression in a country known for the value it attaches to live music and for the exceptional quality of its artists.
“It would also have a devastating effect on the Northern Ballet musicians, who are all on freelance contracts and whose incomes depend heavily on tours”.
Northern Ballet musicians have global support
FIM is the international organisation for musicians’ unions and equivalent representative organisations with 70 members in 60 countries.
Their letter reflects the global significance of UK music and appreciation of Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
It says: “Music and dance lovers worldwide would not understand if the Arts Council England were to be the silent accomplice of this alarming situation.
"Even in difficult times, it is always a short-sighted, counterproductive approach to attempt to save money from an institution that plays such an important cultural role for all citizens.”
Keep Northern Ballet music live
It is essential that Arts Council England and Northern Ballet agree on a realistic funding solution that protects unionised jobs and enables everyone to have access to live ballet that is genuinely live.
Members have been out campaigning and winning support from the public. Take a look at what they’ve been up to so far:
Add your voice to the call, sign the petition and leave a message of support.
FIM’s letter in full
Dear Mr. Henley,
The International Federation of Musicians (FIM), founded in 1948, is the global representative organisation for professional musicians and their trade unions.
With members in sixty-five countries, it is recognised by intergovernmental organisations such as the ILO, WIPO and UNESCO, as well as the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. It is also a member of the Council of Global Unions.
FIM and its members have been extremely shocked to learn that the Northern Ballet was forced to consider removing their live orchestra for some touring productions and replacing the musicians with recorded music.
To replace musicians with a recording would constitute a significant cultural regression in a country known for the value it attaches to live music and for the exceptional quality of its artists. It would also have a devastating effect on the Northern Ballet musicians, who are all on freelance contracts and whose incomes depend heavily on tours.
Music and dance lovers worldwide would not understand if the Arts Council England were to be the silent accomplice of this alarming situation. Even in difficult times, it is always a short-sighted, counterproductive approach to attempt to save money from an institution that plays such an important cultural role for all citizens.
We, therefore, urge you to resolve this dreadful situation by getting around the table and agreeing on a sustainable funding package that keeps Northern Ballet alive in all the dimensions of its essential mission. The international music community would not understand if our request were to go unheard.
Yours sincerely,
Benoit Machuel
General Secretary