We demand that St Martin-in-the-Fields reverse outrageous decision to cast out loyal musicians

Comments

#201

I’m a musician.

Kim Reilly (Bromley, 2020-07-09)

#202

It’s shocking that the long standing arrangements with these musicians have been stopped with no consultation and no notice.

Rachel Austin (London, 2020-07-09)

#204

I've been part of some of these ensembles over the years, and this sucks!

Alastair Steele (Farnham, 2020-07-09)

#210

Freelancers deserve loyalty from their clients alongside paid staff. The government has offered to support Arts organisations as of yesterday so this shouldn’t be necessary. More explanation is needed.

Lucy-Anne Bishop (London, 2020-07-09)

#213

I am signing this petition because I think it is a mistake to let such a long standing, enjoyable and valuable tradition go by the wayside. I know an Australian family who view going to concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields as one of the highlights of their trips to the UK. I am certain there are others who feel the same. Additionally you are doing untold harm to so many musicians who deserve and need all the support they can get these days
Please reconsider your decision.

Jim Morahan (London, 2020-07-09)

#219

I’m signing as a freelance musician who has played at SMITF frequently. This would be a travesty, and surely would reduce the amount of engagement the church has with the public and local communities. This smacks of the same kind of short sightedness which caused the end of concerts at St Sepulchres in Holborn.

Daniel de Souza (London, 2020-07-09)

#221

I think it’s a disgrace to pull the wool over the eyes of the public and say this is due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been happening over many years, reducing everyone’s concerts and then taking their ideas to pass off as your own. Shame on you

Peter Davoren (London, 2020-07-09)

#231

I am a musician, singer and have performed with at least two of these groups, in the past.

Litsa Breingan (London, 2020-07-09)

#237

This is a wonderful performance space and it has been loyally supported by musicians for years.

Louise Bevan (Surrey, 2020-07-09)

#238

I believe this decision will reduce the quality, variety and depth of music currently on offer at St Martin’s. It also hinders the development of music, as a whole, for some extremely talented artists.

Adam Jenkins (Westhill, 2020-07-09)

#245

I’ve played in many concerts at St Martins over the past 40 years. It has been central to the musical life of London and should continue to be so for the next generations of musicians and audiences.

Richard Earle (Lewes, 2020-07-09)

#254

It is unbelievable that St Martin-in-the-Fields would choose to so callously end their association with the many orchestras that play at the church. How uncaring to take this decision at a time when musicians are so greatly in need of support. Please reverse this decision and reflect back the loyalty and dedication that the orchestras/ musicians have shown in their many performances at St Martins.

David Kadumukasa (London, 2020-07-09)

#255

I appreciate the diversity of music and teams that used to perform at st martins and feel this may be lost with a mostly in house program.

Charlotte Acutt (Essex, 2020-07-09)

#257

It’s the Christian thing to do.

Steve Drew (Bexhill-On-Sea, 2020-07-09)

#258

I find this utterly shocking and inexcusable.

Leah Stuttard (Londo, 2020-07-09)

#260

I have attended many superb concerts given by several of these groups & find the church's treatment of the musicians appalling.

Val Davies (Lewes, 2020-07-09)

#263

There is no reason why in house concerts should be in any way safer than others. These groups have been loyal to St Martin-in-the-fields. Now it's your turn to show your loyalty to them.

Susan Pargeter (Combe St Nicholas, 2020-07-09)

#264

I’ve played in lots of these gigs and the joy they bring to people is immeasurable. Insane decision.

Heather Bird (Lavra, 2020-07-09)

#265

I’m signing because I have sung as a soloists in these concerts for nearly 20 years.

Elizabeth Weisberg (Hitchin, 2020-07-09)

#266

I am signing because I have spent years producing concerts of the best possible calibre engaging first class musicians and excellent soloists with the aim of always maintaining the expected professional quality of the evening concerts at St Martins. I am well aware that the audience expect professional quality and exciting performers and bearing this in mind I have always treasured my place as one of the regular artists. As far as I can understand the regular flow of different performers defines the attraction of the venue and has thus contributed greatly to the worldwide reputation of St Martins as a classical music venue. Brazilian TV has come to film at one of my concerts and I know that my personal audience has come from all over the world and undoubtedly the same goes for the audiences of the other artists who perform more regularly than myself and at the same time define the venue as such a vibrant hub. One has only to examine the incredible variety of performers including the brilliant baroque phrasing of Martin Feinstein, pure tone of catherine Manson, the polished Belmont Ensemble performances, the engaging outreach and educative work of the LMA orchestra with John Landor and totally different Mozartian style of the Locrian Ensemble with whom I have performed on many occasions. I am very upset and dissappointed to hear of the recent decision to cut us "artist/promoters" out and not only that but am worried about what will happen to the fantastic reputation the venue has of being such a vibrant hub in the classical music world. Remember that the concept of "artist/promoter" is a concept unique to London on such a large scale and historically connects us to the performing environment of Handel among others. Please reconsider your plans and allow us to continue as before.

STEPHEN ELLERY (London, 2020-07-09)

#267

This venue is has been used by professional and amateur ensembles for so many years and should continue to be so used. It has given pleasure to do many performing musicians and listeners alike and it would be a travesty to have such a wonderful building silenced.

Matthew Grocutt (Watlington, 2020-07-09)

#284

I agree with the petition's demands.

Gareth Thompson (Kendal, 2020-07-09)

#294

This is a central London church of such importance that needs its music. Why do this?

Jane Aebi (London, 2020-07-09)

#314

I’m a freelance musician and I know the pain of working loyally for people for years, only to be summarily dropped when it suits them.

Kate Bailey (Oxford, 2020-07-09)

#316

Lack of transparency, consultation and TOTALLY MISSING THE POINT.

John Laidlaw (Warwick, 2020-07-09)

#327

Being fortunate to live in a country where "a cast of five million" has eliminated Colvid-19 through clear & concise communication, mutual understranding, compassion and a common goal to succeed I cannot believe that similar sentiments have been totally ignored by SMITF. Please take a BIG breath, followed by a dose of compassion & understanding and reconsider the decision. You could well be suprised with outcomes gained through consultation.

Murray Ford (Auckland, 2020-07-09)

#332

I believe this is an abuse of power. Stewardship of the musical life of StMitF is a position which comes with responsibilities towards the wider community, including musicians, not to selfishly & greedily keep to ones self.

William Vann (London, 2020-07-09)

#333

I'm signing because: 1. It will reduce the variety of music offered 2. It will bring hardship to musicians who have a long relationship with St Martin's 3. It transfers the risks of putting on future concerts from the promoters to the church at a time of great uncertainty 4. It is likely to reduce the number of those going to the cafe/restaurant at St Martin's

Howell Schroeder (Welwyn Garden City, 2020-07-09)

#338

Music is such a basic need and especially so at these times, so let’s help our musical ensembles, that bring us joy, get back on their feet.

James Mundey (Oxford, 2020-07-09)

#342

Music is a wonderful inclusive art form that should be created, performed and shared by all for all, in as many places as possible.

Sue Wansbrough (READING, 2020-07-09)

#346

St Martin’s has been home to so many wonderful performances over the years and has given so much pleasure to many, not least the homeless who enjoy a warm environment when listening to the afternoon rehearsals. This is such a short sighted step and totally out of keeping with the inclusive Christian message so far given out by St Martin’s.

Miriam Crozier (London, 2020-07-09)

#351

... it’s more important than ever that faith organisations celebrate breadth and diversity and keep their space open to all to perform and enjoy

John Brown (Brighton, 2020-07-09)

#352

I’m signing because this is no way to treat people. Where was the consultation. Please reconsider.

Jill Aebi (Beckenham, 2020-07-09)

#355

It would be heartbreaking not to have the opportunity to perform at St Martin’s as I have done so many tines with my choir and a number of my friends will be significantly impacted my this decision - creatively and financially.

Kate van Rijswijk (London, 2020-07-09)

#360

I had the privilege to perform many times at St. Martin as freelance oboist in many of the resident ensembles.
I would love to continue to do that with all the wonderful colleagues that I met there.

Nicola Barbagli (London, 2020-07-09)

#364

I used to work for St Martin's concert department. To do this at all is horrible. To do this during a world wide pandemic, is as un-christian as you get. St Martin's Church, Clergy, Business Management and of course Andrew Earis should be ashamed of themselves and hope they are never granted forgiveness for doing such a horrible thing to so many people.

Brian Perkins (London, 2020-07-09)

#366

I totally disagree with the action taken, no discussion and the musicians that will lose work. This is something that gives joy to people.

Susan Quigley (Altrincham, 2020-07-09)

#370

It’s an absolute outrage, what a wonderful orchestra that’s been obliterated with no good reason. Genuinely shocked.

Amy Thomas (Birmingham, 2020-07-09)

#375

I performed there for free as a student at the RAM and it's a great tradition. These musicians now need our support in return.
Thank you.

Fiona Moverle (Auckland, 2020-07-09)

#376

I was a member of the Belmont Ensemble for many years and my sister regularly appears as soloist. It is a wonderful setup showcasing many talented freelance musicians and it should be treasured, not abandoned, especially at a time like this.

Beth McNinch (Wexford, 2020-07-09)

#387

I am a member of the English Chamber Choir (in exile due to the pandemic) and performing with the Belmont Ensemble is important both to me and to the church in the numbers of people our concerts bring in.

Michele De Courcy (Adelaide, 2020-07-09)

#390

This is a tragedy. Not only will this decision have a devastating impact on so many hardworking professional musicians like myself, whose performing careers, livelihoods and senses of morale have already been threatened by COVID-19, it will give the impression that classical music is collapsing, with numerous well-loved orchestras suddenly becoming homeless without any warning. Now should be the time for everyone to pull together to find ways forward, support each other and bring back audiences, but sadly this organisation will be doing the opposite if they follow through with their decision. These ensembles (who are the very reason for St Martins’ enviable reputation for fine concerts in the first place) have spent many years building up their innate understanding of each other, the building and its audiences. I desperately hope that this decision will be reconsidered and that discussions can take place to find the best way forward for all concerned.

Rebecca Hepplewhite (London, 2020-07-09)

#393

The concerts at St Martin’s are a huge success with excellent ticket sales and standing ovations from the audiences. On top of that they provide regular work for a large number of dedicated freelance musicians all of whom are in an extremely precarious position at this time. Taking this future work away from the musicians who have been playing regularly at St Martin’s for so many years will cause hardship to them and their families at a time when they need support and hope for the future. I implore St Martin’s to show compassion and rethink their decision.

Sarah Alexander (London, 2020-07-10)

#398

It is certainly unfair

Raquel Del Carpio (Montreal, 2020-07-10)

#400

I am signing because when I was in London 70 years ago i spent many happy time listening to great music. It must continue

Raphael Dua (MElbourne, 2020-07-10)



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