The announcement of the closure of the @BBCSingers follows a hurtful pattern of communication in decisions around the arts, where symbolically and materially important cuts are made with the non-specific promise (and therefore, no accountability) for something better. (1/27 🧵) These vague and often empty promises do not reassure professional musicians whose outlets for work are increasingly diminished and precarious. This stokes anger and resentment, and musicians, as workers and members of society, deserve better. (2/27)

I fully support the idea that every child should have the right to learn a musical instrument, but unless you've worked in state schools, with respect, you don't know how complicated this is. It's not as simple as just supplying musical instruments to all children. 1/9 I worked in London Borough of Newham where there is a scheme to offer free instrumental lessons to children on Free School Meals. Excellent scheme, highly commended. HOWEVER. Many who were eligible didn’t want to take up or weren’t able to engage and benefit if they did. 2/9