BBC Radio 3 controller Alan Davey has called on the classical music community to address the issue of a lack of diversity across the sector.
Talking to industry paper Music Week, he said: ‘It's of concern to everyone in the industry, and there are no easy answers.
‘It's partly about making sure classical music is accessible and the opportunity to learn an instrument or listen to a concert is available at grass roots level to school children, teenagers, future generations from all social backgrounds.’
The comments come days after BBC Radio 3 announced its Diversity and Inclusion in Composition conference to explore strategies for the ‘enhanced inclusion of culturally diverse classical music composers’.
Davey said that he hoped the event would help the community take the practical steps necessary to bring about change.
‘By limiting the pool of composers of classical music we are missing a goal creatively. There is music to be written which really does reflect the rich diversity of the UK - and it will be amazing, as it is in other art forms, such as dance and poetry,’ he said.
‘If the pool of creation of classical music becomes narrower, then its very future is in doubt. That's why we want to bring people together for our diversity conference and so that we can work out what the problems are and how we can respond to make a difference.’
BBC Radio 3’s one-day conference will take place on 19 October at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
Guest speakers include composers Daniel Kidane, Jeffrey Mumford, Priti Paintal, Shirley J. Thompson, Errolyn Wallen and Raymond Yiu
Please visit www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/diversity_in_composition_19oct16 to indicate your interest in receiving a delegate pack and registration form, which will be issued from 19 August.
Talking to industry paper Music Week, he said: ‘It's of concern to everyone in the industry, and there are no easy answers.
‘It's partly about making sure classical music is accessible and the opportunity to learn an instrument or listen to a concert is available at grass roots level to school children, teenagers, future generations from all social backgrounds.’
The comments come days after BBC Radio 3 announced its Diversity and Inclusion in Composition conference to explore strategies for the ‘enhanced inclusion of culturally diverse classical music composers’.
Davey said that he hoped the event would help the community take the practical steps necessary to bring about change.
‘By limiting the pool of composers of classical music we are missing a goal creatively. There is music to be written which really does reflect the rich diversity of the UK - and it will be amazing, as it is in other art forms, such as dance and poetry,’ he said.
‘If the pool of creation of classical music becomes narrower, then its very future is in doubt. That's why we want to bring people together for our diversity conference and so that we can work out what the problems are and how we can respond to make a difference.’
BBC Radio 3’s one-day conference will take place on 19 October at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
Guest speakers include composers Daniel Kidane, Jeffrey Mumford, Priti Paintal, Shirley J. Thompson, Errolyn Wallen and Raymond Yiu
Please visit www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/diversity_in_composition_19oct16 to indicate your interest in receiving a delegate pack and registration form, which will be issued from 19 August.
