We demand that St Martin-in-the-Fields reverse outrageous decision to cast out loyal musicians
Comments
#1001
I’ve performed as a soprano soloist at SMITF. Visiting orchestras have helped to build the profile of SMITF as amusic venue. To shut them out of this venue, which is very popular with tourists, is a huge financial blow for musicians who are suffering hugely with cancelled work during the COVID crisis.
Clare Lloyd-Griffiths (Maidenhead, 2020-07-15)
#1002
Music is a gift of God. These musicians have been using that gift to bring delight and comfort to many, to support the work of St Martin-in-the-Fields and the homeless. Music calms, soothes, inspires and speaks of the Almighty.Stella Mansfield (Bedford, 2020-07-15)
#1003
I am a musician and music-lover! The variety of music performed by a large range of musicians and groups introduces many people - including the loyal audiences - to the special atmosphere of St Martins in the Fields. Many people would never really even know that St Martins was there if they did not attend concerts there. This seems a mean-minded and self-defeating decision.Julia Raeburn (London, 2020-07-15)
#1008
I heartily support St Martin in the Fields both as a centre for worship and as a cultural centre.David S Butterworth (Nottingham, 2020-07-15)
#1010
this decision needs to be re-considered to take account of the many choirs, musicians and others who have brought countless people and money to St Martin's in the past. It seems a perverse and irrational decision by those who should be safeguarding the heritage of this wonderful building not destroying it.Paul Renney (London, 2020-07-15)
#1012
Musicians deserve to be treated with respect!Lesley Cannon (London, 2020-07-16)
#1013
Music - as all our beautiful arts involving skill & lifelong dedication by the performers - needs more support, not less support, during this strange and awful time.Gill GABEL (Lewes, 2020-07-16)
#1016
These musicians gave selflessly and generously for many years. They need your support now.Christine Garratt (Oxford, 2020-07-16)
#1020
It’s a serious injustice and so wrong on many levels.Janine Slinger (Lancaster, 2020-07-17)
#1021
I am outraged by this decisionVictoria Burgess (London, 2020-07-17)
#1024
Archbishop of canterbury has said re inequality and the pandemic: "Do we take hold of our destiny and make sure the differences are mitigated, abolished where possible – or do we just let things happen, do we let the market rule, in which case there will be enormous suffering.” The management of St Martin-in-the Fields have obviously decided on letting the market rule.Penny Haysom (Weybridge, 2020-07-17)
#1028
I believe in live music. It should not be stopped because of hoax virus☺️Lucy Beckmann (Newcastle upon Tyne, 2020-07-17)
#1031
The quality of some to the orchestra's that perform at St M in the F are the sort of exceptional quality that London is associated with.. especially being so near to the West End theatres. These orchestras are not only professional but some of them are incredibly informative such as Mini Maestro by LMAELinda Gingras (Westminster, 2020-07-18)
#1033
I am a professional musicianPaul Webster (GUILDFORD, 2020-07-18)
#1037
I LOVE music and the St Martin in the Fields musicians.Ramón Fernández (Madrid, 2020-07-18)
#1044
I have sung at St. Martin’s with the Medici Choir and as a participant in “ Come & Sing” events.Julie Ms Taylor (Londonderry, 2020-07-19)
#1045
I have always enjoyed the high degree of professionalism, displayed by the orchestras and ensembles while performing finest classical music-art such as the Brandenburg concertos. There can be no adequate substitute what so ever.Jean Lacroix (Berlin, 2020-07-19)
#1046
The music played at St Martin in the Fields should restart albeit adapting to the current social distancing measures. This may mean smaller groups of performers and audience but the music must be kept alive until the Covid plague is fully controlled when a return to the previous unadulterated concerts may be permitted.Roger Buchdahl (London, 2020-07-19)
#1049
I have enjoyed many wonderful evenings of music and I feel strongly that the musicians should be properly supported during these most difficult times until events can resume.GEOFF GIBBS (GEDLING, 2020-07-19)
#1055
Our choir have sung to packed audiences as part of the lunchtime free concert series. The lunchtime programme enabled a huge range of musicians to sing/play at a prestigious venue and share their music. This will be no longer available to good amateurs. This is not to minimise the terrible impact on professional musicians who rely on StMitF for a regular income and to present their music. It would be good to understand why you wish to minimise musical diversity and excellence by using only in house musicians. Week after week of listening to the same group of musicians is a huge loss to the exciting programmes that StMitF has always offered audiences.Christine Poulton (Hatfield, 2020-07-20)
#1056
It is beyond belief that St Martin in the Fields could make such a culturally illiterate decision, given its long and distinguished history of wide-ranging concerts with many groups.Amanda Little (London, 2020-07-20)
#1057
This is such a worthwhile cause, not just for the musicians, but for the amazing work done for the homelessElisabeth Guest (Isleworth, 2020-07-20)
#1059
I believe that the experience of visiting St Martin's will be infinitely poorer for everyone if freelance ensembles are no longer allowed to perform there. In my opinion they compliment and enhance the in-house choir, and mark St Martin's as a world-class and inclusive organisation.Helen Taylor (London, 2020-07-21)
#1062
I have often performed with the London Octave and the concerts such as the Brandenburg Concertos and Mozart Requiem are given with great commitment and are clearly hugely appreciated. I hope you will reverse this ill judged decision which could not come at a worse time for freelance musicians. It’s almost unbelievable that this decision has been made by a church - possibly one of the most famous in the world.Bridget Stevens (Epsom, 2020-07-22)
#1063
Cancelling the concerts at St Martin's is a mean and callous act at the worst possible time. They give much pleasure to audiences, work to the musicians and generate good income for the work of St Martin's. The decision is a travesty of practical common sense.Richard Rusby (London SW1, 2020-07-22)
#1064
My wife, disabled child, and I regularly enjoy(ed) these concerts and will miss them. Apart from that, they help to promote SMITF as an historic and cultural venue for all. This would reduce it to fleecing tourists alone, rather than being part of the local community, which would be a shame.Robert Ryan (London, 2020-07-22)
#1066
Over more than 30 years I have performed with different chamber choirs and musicians at St Martins. The occasion has always been uplifting and well attended. It was necessary to draw large audiences if the groups with which I performed were to retain any profit from the occasion. The fees paid to St Martins' including a high percentage of GROSS ticket sales were on the high side, but the challenge was worth the struggle. In this way great music excellently, often, performed drew large audiences to swell the church coffers and act as a magnet to a diverse audience. to destroy this for some woke vision is both stupid and to no-one's advantage. cast away pride and think again!Charles Paine (London, 2020-07-22)
#1067
As a musician and a practising Christian, and a Director of Music at a church in the diocese of Southwark, this action appears harsh, ill thought out, causes ill will for the future, and is totally incomprehensible as a kick in the teeth for all those, playing and non-playing, who have supported and attended St Martin in the Fields in the past. I hope that the agreed talks can repair some of the damage for the good of all. H F Dilnot LTCLHilary Dilnot (Oxted, 2020-07-22)
#1069
From London's Jewish faith community our family is committed to supporting London's diverse religious and cultural life. This decision reflects poorly on the Church's Director of Music.Noel Hadjimichael (Kingston upon Thames, 2020-07-23)
#1070
I am signing because I am very sad to hear this news and worried for the artists involved. I have spent many happy hours attending concerts there in the past and cannot imagine it all coming to an end. Am concerned for the church, of course, too,Rosemary Douglas (London, 2020-07-23)
#1075
I am a member of Belmont and have seen the immense dedication and commitment Peter has put in to this ensemble over many years. This could have been done in a far more courteous and respectful fashionRuth Buxton (London, 2020-07-23)
#1079
The orchestras that play at St Martin-in-the-Fields have put their heart and soul into establishing a famous concert series over the last three decades. The senior management of the church cannot be allowed to dismiss this work and musicians should think carefully about working for any new “in house” arrangement. Let’s not tolerate unfair behaviour.andrew scott (London, 2020-07-23)
#1080
I have attended concerts and prayers in St Martin in the Fields for the last 20 years and I think it would be a shame to lose The Belmont Ensamble of London and all the other chamber orchestras. They are part of the soul of the community.Gerardo Ocana (London, 2020-07-23)
#1086
This is,awful. Iconic orchestras and choirs being made homeless. Please reconsider.Richard Goffin-Lecar (Ramsgate, 2020-07-24)
#1096
I am a professional musician and we need all the help we can get right now NOT the opposite!Graham Russell (Lingfield, 2020-07-24)
#1098
as a baroque trumpeter I am disappointed at this decisionMay Thompson (London, 2020-07-24)
#1100
It is wrong for St Martin's to do this. It is a wonderful location for us to perform in, right at the heart of London. These performances have brightened the life of many Londoners, commuters, students and tourists! This includes me! My choir performs there once a year, raising a large sum for charity! We need to stay! Thanks.Maddy Corper (London, 2020-07-24)
#1101
This is outrageous. You will notice by the photograph that it is nearly full. This decision makes no sense.Ray Russell (London, 2020-07-24)
#1103
I am signing to stand with all those that have rehearsed, tuned and perfected their performance for the benefit of so many people over the last 30 years.This is tragic and as has been said “ you will reap what you sow “
Steve Urwin (Milton Keynes, 2020-07-24)
#1110
These concerts have been a lifeline for many for such a long time. It will be a sad day if they go both for the public and the musiciansPauline Howard (London, 2020-07-24)
#1111
This action is helping to undermine and destroy the professional scene for musicians for now and future generations.Robert Cutting (Abingdon, 2020-07-24)
#1112
Please do not stop musicians playing at the most accessible church in London. I live in perth western Australia and my youngest brother plays there. I watched him play back in 2012 and it was the greatest experience watching him play and the audience were so receptive it was a beautiful concert. Please do not close this church I beg you ! There are audience and performers that will use this facility for decades to come, please do not kill a London society. If you want an example of how night life ...live bands have disappeared look at Northbridge perth western Australia it's s real estate haven but with no culture all the baby boomers moved in and then complained about the live music so they closed the licenced ptemises down therefore the pubs/ hotels closed now there is no where to listen to live music it's a real estate void expensive but has no culture..do not close this church it's what's makes London........LondonAlan Scott (Woodvale, 2020-07-24)
#1119
A great supporter of the Belmont who first introduced me to wonderful classical music via their Vivaldi concocts. it would be a great loss if they and other groups could no longer perform at St Martin'sEddie Davies (New Malden, 2020-07-24)
#1123
I feel strongly that this brilliant ensemble and many others should be cherished and supported at this tragic time for the Arts. Future generations will be the poorer if we allow the classical music to be decimatedCelia Leggett (Staines, 2020-07-24)
#1126
Totally unnecessary treatment of freelancers.Dale Gibson (Leeds, 2020-07-24)
#1128
This is culture eradication creep, and must not be allowed.Ashley Slater (Brighton, 2020-07-24)
#1132
I have played as a musician at SMITF on several occasions, as a recitalist, as a player in orchestras resident there, and also as a musician with my ensemble for family concerts. I have also however worked as a steward at SMITF and enjoyed many of the absolutely wonderful concerts taking place there from the other side.I think that the series of concerts that have been built up at St. Martin's over a long period of time are second to none, and it is the ensembles and orchestras that deliver these concerts that make them so.
I have concern that the standard and reputation would drop if all concerts were to be 'in house,' not to mention the drastic effect this decision would have on so many musicians who have been loyal to St. Martin's over the years.
Nadia Barbosa (Croydon, 2020-07-24)
#1134
I love listening to music at St Martins in the Field. The combination of beautiful music and the beautiful interior. It is a world wide important church and this goes against the Christian values of the churchSharon OCONNOR (London, 2020-07-24)
#1137
These people deserve so much better than this!Christine Jones (Chessington, 2020-07-24)
#1141
Live music is a key part of British life and it’s something so many have turned to during this difficult time. It is good for us socially and mentally. It’s important to support it for the sake of the British public. We need itAlicia Fletcher (Nottingham, 2020-07-25)
#1147
These Musicians, all Musicians, should be treated fairlyMorris Stemp (Bacup, 2020-07-25)
#1153
I have enjoyed many concerts there and it a church that should welcome allChris Davies (Orpington, 2020-07-25)
#1154
This action is totally unwarranted. Music here is part of our heritage.Fred Little (Preston, 2020-07-25)
#1158
For the reasons you state - shutting out all the amateur choirs and orchestras that perform at St Martin’s, not to mention their audiences, is disgraceful and unchristian! To use the present crisis as a time to make this decision, which they have no doubt been thinking of for some time, is deplorableDavid Wordsworth (London, 2020-07-25)
#1160
I have sung as a member of an amateur choir at St Martin’s and listened to many splendid concerts there. Taking concerts in house will inevitably restrict the range of music performed there and will be a great loss not least to the many visitors from abroad who come to concerts. It is a shameful act, coming at a time when many professional musicians have lost their livelihoods.Patric Sankey-Barker (London, 2020-07-25)
#1162
Outrageous! Save our singers & musicians!Singathon Events (London, 2020-07-25)
#1163
having doen concerts in your chuch I feel agreevied at your desicion to end all but your ownSusanna Chenery (London, 2020-07-25)
#1165
This seems an extraordinary decision by the management. No consultation??? In a global pandemic? This is not behaviour I would expect from St Martin's in the Field.Philippa Linton (Sidcup, 2020-07-25)
#1166
As a self-employed musician myself who has played in numerous churches and cathedrals up and down the land including St. Martin - in -the- Fields, I know just how important these orchestral concerts and chamber concerts are to the audiences. It would be a disaster to lose these from this Central London Church, loved and valued so much by Both Players and Listeners..Muriel Daniels (Salisbury, 2020-07-25)
#1167
The music should continue. I have been to many fine concerts there.Gwyneth Try (Beckenham, 2020-07-25)
#1168
I am a musician and have played at St Martin in the fields tooAnn Hubble (South Croydon, 2020-07-25)
#1170
St. Martin's concerts have an unmatched reputation. Not only that: as a student I was actively involved in ecumenical activities at St. Martin's in the late 1960s, being awarded a University of London Laurel for this.Prof. Dafydd Gibbon
Dafydd Gibbon (Bielefeld, 2020-07-25)
#1172
The tradition is long. Changing such a practice cannot be the right of a few at this time.Diane Calvario (Weybridge, 2020-07-26)
#1173
Please reconsider this decision. It will harm the lives of so many brilliant musicianS who have suffered enough during the last few months. I have enjoyed the variety of lunchtime concerts ar St Martins over the years. This would not ne the same if the music was only ‘in house’.Pauline Apicella (London, 2020-07-26)
#1175
The glory of London is the variety of orchestras and chamber groups one could hear. Reducing that variety is a terrible decision and is not good for the future.Alan Bain (Gerrards Cross, 2020-07-26)
#1177
Music makes St Martin-in-the-Fields one of the most vibrant and attractive Churches in London. I have been fortunate enough to play for many of the ensembles that regularly perform there that draw thousands of visitors throughout the year. I cannot see any logic in the decision to permanently end performances by regular groups that employ hundreds of freelance musicians and bring joy to so many people. This decision must be overturned.Jack Cherry (London, 2020-07-26)
#1183
As a resident of London, I have been a frequent visitor of many concerts at St Martin's. And it sadness me that 100s of musicians of the various orchestras and choirs of St Martin's are being treated so unfairly.Ira Wise (London, 2020-07-26)
#1189
We need to support the musicians at this time and also help to raise funds to support the homeless.Jo Osborn (Bristol, 2020-07-26)
#1191
I’m utterly appalled to learn of this outrageous decision. St Martin-in-the-Fields has been a great beacon for Music for so long. I urge a rethink.Julian Larkin (Saxmundham, 2020-07-27)
#1193
I have enjoyed many concerts at St Martin-in-the Fields and will be sorry to see this change.I these covid-19 times I would ask them to change their minds.
Geoff Cox (Sutton, 2020-07-27)
#1194
I think this disgraceful.John Meany (London, 2020-07-27)
#1197
These concerts are well attended and popular. There are of a high quality. The ensembles listed are a crucial part of London's freelance ecology.Patrick Bailey (Truro, 2020-07-27)