British orchestras in danger of losing top billing
British orchestras are poised to "slip out of the top tier" of the
world's best ensembles, senior figures in the industry believe. Despite
a year in which audiences flocked to concert halls and with figures
showing that attendances rose by more than 10 percent, there are
mounting fears that orchestras may be forced to cut performances,
rehearsals and new commissions, and thus jeopardise their global
status.A survey by the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) has found
attendances at concerts and performances between 2012 and 2013 were up
16 percent on those three years earlier.
More than 4.5 million people a year now see orchestras play live in
the UK. Mark Pemberton, director of the ABO said: "There is a hunger for
what we do. There are certain assumptions made that classical music is a
dying art form. This does show that, in fact, we're a lot more popular
than people give us credit for."
Yet news of growth in attendance has not translated into huge returns
at the box office, as income from ticket sales and contract hires has
fallen 11 per cent over the same period, according to the survey. And
added to this a 14 percent decline, in real terms, in public funding.
The stark figures will be presented at the ABO annual conference in
London. "We will hear from American orchestras where things are pretty
calamitous. There have been closures, strikes and lock-outs," Pemberton
said. "The key message we're drawing is we have to make sure we avoid
those sorts of difficulties. That's where public investment remains
crucial. We don't want to be alarmist but it will be tough."
Timothy Walker, chief executive and artistic director at the London
Philharmonic Orchestra said: "How much longer orchestras can be squeezed
is a real issue. Many are managing now but may not be able to survive a
further round of cuts.
"We will begin to worry if we have to cut rehearsals or can no longer
commission new work," he said. "The very things that push our art form
forward and keep us at the highest international level are then under
threat. We would worry about slipping from the top tier, which is a real
possibility if it carries on like this."
The arts have been "very accepting of the country's need to balance
its books", Walker said, but added that they "can't cope for ever". The
seeming discrepancy between a rise in attendances yet a decline in
ticket revenue is explained by orchestras discounting to fill the
houses.
"We've got a wonderfully young audience," Walker said. "But many
tickets are at student prices that start around £4, which doesn't help
our yield."
Promenaders at the Royal Albert Hall at the BBC Proms have for many
years paid only £5. Many orchestras have been forced to change how they
operate to boost income, including more foreign tours, recording abroad
and a rise in commercial projects such as film soundtracks. "Everyone
has now done that ..... What do you do next time? Are you cutting staff,
rehearsals or new work? Any further cuts would be detrimental. This has
all changed in the past three years," Walker said.
-The Independent |
