It is not only at the BBC that live classical music is in crisis (There is no one with power to fight for classical music at the BBC now. It’s as if Herod runs the creche, 14 March). Music societies throughout the country are heading for extinction. Music departments in schools have been savaged by education cuts, on top of which there is virtually no time for classical music in what remains of the curriculum.
Inevitably, it is predominantly older people who both run and attend provincial concerts and their numbers have been dramatically reduced by both the fear of Covid and the actual disease itself. Even a successful society like our own has seen its membership more than halved. We are running at a loss and once the money runs out, we will close after over 70 years. How sad.
Bob Epton
Concert secretary, Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire Concert Society
