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

Comments

#406

The decision makes little sense,
penalises many and diminishes your own reputation...

Michele Strong (Belfast, 2020-07-10)

#407

I'm signing because concerts are our liveblood, and we need to be supporting freelance musicians, not making their lives more difficult (and our concerts less interesting in the process)

Richard Whalley (Manchester, 2020-07-10)

#409

I am one of those freelance musicians.

Naomi Phelan (London, 2020-07-10)

#410

Appalling behaviour by a church I had long admired and supported

John Marsden (Lochgilphead, 2020-07-10)

#414

I've attended concerts here and love that you supported amazing artists. I would hope that this would continue so that people have the chance to share their gifts with us all.

Michael Buck (London, 2020-07-10)

#415

Music in its many forms is vital at this time and this particular one deserves support to survive the pandemic.

Sue Farrow-Jones (East Allington, 2020-07-10)

#436

Music is an eternal universal language and offers all people comfort and succour - things which the church should know all about. Can St Martin in the Fields really afford to lose the come these ensembles provide?

Christopher Clift (Cottingham, 2020-07-10)

#438

I'm signing because I play with some of the orchestras that perform at St. Martins and these concerts bring so much joy.

Joanne Davies (Epping, 2020-07-10)

#440

Live music must be promoted, the church has always done this throughout the ages. Please carry this tradition on.

Roy Chilton (London, 2020-07-10)

#444

I’ve enjoyed many lovely concerts, with talented musicians at St.Martin-in-the-Fields and believe they are a really important part of London’s live cultural music scene, particularly for many people who cannot afford the high prices of other venues.

Toni Allen (London, 2020-07-10)

#450

This is an absolute disgrace! With the pubs opening and people lining the streets of Soho in a blasé manor with no concept of social distancing! The whole attitude to musicians is disgusting! To think that a venue of such importance to the arts can act in such a drastic way with no thought or respect to its professional performers and audience is stain on humanity! Also to not open any dialogue with performers and audience members is out of order! Strongly considering leaving the UK as it is becoming a cultural cess pit!

Alexander Pidgen (London, 2020-07-10)

#453

I am a freelance musician and depend on such venues for my livelihood. Even though this one is not somewhere I regularly perform, many of my colleagues do and will be sorely impacted

Will Harvey (London, 2020-07-10)

#457

I'm a musician, perform with numerous groups that depend on hiring venues like St Martin's, including Feinstein Ensemble.

Heather Birt (St Albans, 2020-07-10)

#462

I used to play at St. Martins regularly with various orchestras and the variety of concerts was part of what kept the audiences coming. It’s a really short-sighted idea to ban all outside ensembles.

Jamie Pullman (Bournemouth, 2020-07-10)

#466

Disgraceful attitude and communication from St Martin's regarding Belmont Ensemble. Shame on you!

Anna SMARGIASSI (London, 2020-07-10)

#467

I’ve been to many wonderful concerts at St Martin in the Fields over the years. And we must support the arts, which means supporting artists.

Laura Smith (Frankfurt, 2020-07-10)

#471

I have had the great pleasure of playing at this venue and attending concerts given by colleagues and friends.What a terrible shame if this is to end.

Rachel Simnett (Suffolk, 2020-07-10)

#472

This puts the musicians of the Belmont Ensemble, and other ensembles who play regularly at St Martins, out of work, at a time when free lance musicians are in dire straits.

Margaret kent (Uckfield, 2020-07-10)

#474

As a freelance musician, concert series are very important to not just my career but the huge community of artists who contribute to culture and liturgy in London. We are already in dire financial straits, these sorts of decisions will cement the decline of the arts. Please reconsider this decision.

Charlotte Bowden (London, 2020-07-10)

#475

I support musicians

Nainita Desai (London, 2020-07-10)

#476

In solidarity with the musicians.

Franklin Cox (Beavercreek, 2020-07-10)

#477

It's disgusting that this decision has been taken at all, let alone during these worrying times. Musicians have been hit hard and it's incredible that any one (let alone a church!!!!) would think it a good idea to hit them harder.

Jonathan Stokes (Beckenham, 2020-07-10)

#480

I have performed with the Locrian Ensemble in this venue and attend concerts there regularly. I am stunned and shocked. The musicians will be joining the homeless. Will they find sustenance or comfort at St Martin in the Fields? Shame on you!

Gerry Kelly (Cork, 2020-07-10)

#483

One of the few places that REALLY support the homeless.......

Jean-Anne Charkham (London, 2020-07-10)

#488

I play in the Locrian Ensemble and cannot believe the short sighted nature of this descion.

Mark Chivers (Haddenham, 2020-07-10)

#490

I'm one of the musicians affected.

Nicholas Parle (London, 2020-07-10)

#491

I have very much enjoyed performing in a choir with Trafalgar Sinfonia.

Peter Payne (London, 2020-07-10)

#498

I am signing this petition as it is a callous and very selfish decision. This should not be done without consultation at the very least. It is shameful.

Karen Dyer (Bristol, 2020-07-10)

#499

I would like to see St Martin’s in the Fields to continue with its musical concerts and thrive and flourish.

Emily Ghose (Bedmond, 2020-07-10)

#505

I believe that the church authorities at St. Martin's are trying to capitalise on the hard work, investment and risk taking that the orchestras have done over the 30 years in building a successful concert series.

Warren Alexander (Enfield, 2020-07-10)

#511

Having attended a number of stunningly beautiful concerts by Belmont Ensemble I was deeply moved by the utter perfection of their music in combination with such an amazing venue. The church will lose far more than it realises by no longer allowing these concerts which bring such life and vibrancy to the building and such pleasure to it's audiences. I hope that some wisdom and compassion can be brought into this situation and that all those affected will be welcomed back and their contribution fully recognized.

Sarah Jane Luck (Shrewsbury, 2020-07-10)

#516

My Daughter is one of the musicians affected!

Jenny Harris (Holsworthy, 2020-07-10)

#523

There is too little music around already.
There should be more music and musicians who are very loyal citizens and improve life in the community

Sergio Biseo (London, 2020-07-10)

#528

I am signing because, apart from the inspirational music performed by this ensemble, it has been literally a lifeline for a friend. Love and Peace. Madhav. X.

Madhav Sharma (Wickhambrook, 2020-07-10)

#530

I’m signing because I’m a professional musician who has performed at St Martin’s. I also work as music director for my church in hackney and I love to see churches and musicians working together or alongside each other.

Hannah Cawston (London, 2020-07-10)

#535

These concerts are a vital part of this church's life and ministry.

Stephen du Toit (London, 2020-07-10)

#539

I play fairly regularly with Trafalgar Sinfonia!

Clare Taylor (London, 2020-07-10)

#540

As a musician in London used to performing at St. Martin in the Fields I am very upset at this apparently callous and unnecessary act. The diversity and great skills of all the ensembles was it's great strength. This will NOT be an improvement.

Martin Fenn (London, 2020-07-10)

#543

I have been a regular concert goer at St Martin, and have very much enjoyed performance given by a number of the groups affected. I see this as a mean and unnecessary decision.

Graham Fisher (Ashtead, 2020-07-10)

#544

I havw worked with many top musicians who have been part of this for years. a shame to shed all this talent.

Andi Langford-Woods (Bristol, 2020-07-10)

#545

I believe in live music and that musicians need to have a wide variety of venues in which to perform. Audiences need live music and St Martin's in the Field is being a bit short sighted in my opinion to cut out these musicians from performing in this iconic venue.

Richard Hoyle (Burnley, 2020-07-10)

#547

this is disgusting

Kevin O'Neill (newry, 2020-07-10)

#553

This is a ridiculous decision that will seriously damage the London classical music scene. It is cruel to make such decisions when musicians are already experiencing hardship. Very short termist and frankly idiotic.

Samantha Barber (London, 2020-07-10)

#556

This decision is being made from an exceptionally narrow perspective and should be re-thought. General financial support and loyalty will suffer really badly if this goes ahead. My large group of musicians who attend regularly will no longer be spending or gifting any money to the church and another cornerstone of musical, spiritual and religious life will be gone - to be replaced with what? Some 'sacred' aspects of life are best not played around with.

Peter Harris (York, 2020-07-10)

#560

This is unfair, unjust and unnecessary

Jacqueline Craig (Mirfield, 2020-07-10)

#563

This move is callous and utterly disgraceful. I have attended many concerts at St Martin-in-the Fields over the years and have always enjoyed a professionally exceptional experience each time. To place such a burden of worry on the shoulders of the hundreds of musicians who have graced the building with their many talents over the past three decades, at such a time, is truly a travesty, and this decision must be reversed.

Ros Setterfield (Norwich, 2020-07-10)

#564

After decades of London musicians and organisers, building up the wonderful reputation St Martin’s enjoys now (100 things you must do before you die is come to a st Martin’s concert) to have them pull it down during a period of such horrendous uncertainty for all musicians is appalling. It defies belief and I can only pray they will come to their senses sooner rather than later.

Morgan Goff (London, 2020-07-10)

#566

This would be an absolute disaster for the community of musicians who have loved playing at St Martin's for warm and appreciative audiences for decades. It would also be a huge loss to people who simply enjoy hearing a concert of great music in a beautiful place and feel that their lives are enriched by this.

Catherine Manson (Totternhoe, 2020-07-10)

#569

I have myself had the pleasure of performing at St Martins in the fields many times as a freelance musician. I know the importance of this unique place not only for us the performers but maybe in particular the audience that has been so loyal and supportive over all these years. To take away this wonderful concert platform and change it to something so much more narrow will have a deep negative impact on all the people involved. Absolutely everyone will loose out if this goes ahead.

Jesper Svedberg (Bournemouth, 2020-07-10)

#571

Causing unnecessary hardship to people whose livelihoods are already precarious.

Deirdre O’leary (Tipperary, 2020-07-10)

#572

I’m signing this because the arts are an important multi billion pound industry that is being under-funded and under-supported by the government at a time when Self employed performers are unable to work. On top of this, live music performances provides significant benefits for the local community and venues, through raising money and awareness for a multitude of different causes. I feel this recent decision is shortsighted and potentially life threatening to a huge pool of performers who rely on venues to host events.

Simon Tong (London, 2020-07-10)

#576

I believe that St Martin’s should be supporting the artists that have helped fill their venue over the past 30 years.

Rachel Kerwick (Angmering, 2020-07-10)

#580

I believe not only does this music bring joy to everyone. But this is a great ministry the SMITF gives to the whole community of London.

Andrew Stone (Glasgow, 2020-07-10)

#586

This decision doesn’t make sense in the long term. Please reconsider.

Gillian Lavelle (Potters Bar, 2020-07-10)

#587

The crass decision by Andrew Earis to obliterate, wipe out, 30 years of diverse musical excellence, worshipped and enjoyed by millions from all religions and backgrounds without consultation, is literally beyond belief. Was Dr Sam Wells consulted - its his church, not the organists.

Ken WHARFE (London, 2020-07-10)

#590

The concerts there are of a really high standard, featuring London’s top musicians, and have put St Martin’s on the map. What a misguided decision.

Linda McLaren (Beaconsfield, 2020-07-10)

#591

I have been playing with LMA at St. Martins since before the birth of my daughter - who is now 25.
As a professional musician, already struggling with less work, your total freeze on our musical life at St. Martins is astonishing in its brutality.
And for what reason ?

Anna Cooper (East Grinstead, 2020-07-10)



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