Stephen Jackson dismissed as director of BBC Symphony Chorus

[Lento]

So, according to Morrison's article in the Times, two Proms-related issues allegedly arose which may have influenced the BBC's decision. One related to stiffening Belshazzar's with the BBC Singers and to an alleged conversation between Jackson and Oramo; the other to Jackson's allegedly clarifying the chorus parts in Whitacre's Equus, reportedly with blessing of both composer and publisher. Morrison is appalled by the BBC's actions, including the way in which the departure was handled. The BBC apparently felt that Jackson was taking actions in areas regarded as the preserve of management, in matters where they disagreed.

[bb]

We, too, read Richard Morrison's article in today's 'Times'. The 'old' journalist brings the BBC into disrepute thus:

"As all old journalists know, the difference between working for a right-wing newspaper and a “compassionate” liberal media organisation is that the latter always sack people just before Christmas. Which is what has happened to Stephen Jackson, who was the hugely respected director of the BBC Symphony Chorus for 26 years until last month, when he was given the old heave-ho by Alan Davey, the controller of BBC Radio 3.

Was Jackson bad at his job? On the contrary. In a city of top-notch amateur choirs the BBC Symphony Chorus is never far from the top of the pile ... "

The Times - Richard Morrison: Chorus director’s firing brings the BBC into disrepute

If the allegations are true, then Alan Davey should be ashamed of himself. Unfortunately, he is unlikely to comment ahead of a possible employment tribunal. If I may quote Bill Rogers directly:

"Alan "Armslengthal" Davey could be up to his elbows in an employment tribunal, if the Times' Richard Morrison is right. The new, genial, folky Controller of Radio 3 is said to have terminated the contract of Stephen Jackson, director of the BBC Symphony Chorus, because of clashes with Paul Hughes, genial blogger and general manager of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

According to Mr Morrison, Mr Davey felt this was okay without the normal procedures afforded to staff in an exit, because the BBC deems Mr Jackson a freelancer. This despite 26 years of service in the role - hours of lawyerly fun to be had. And amusingly, Mr Morrison believes one of the clashes was over Paul Hughes wanting to spend more money on extra singers for a performance, and Mr Jackson arguing the works were well within the range of his talented amateurs.

We have the makings of an instant opera... "

trading as WDR - BlogSpot - Trial by jury ?

Our sympathy goes out to Stephen Jackson. It is a sad loss for the BBC!

[Cockney Sparrow]

Any members of the BBC S Chorus out there? - register, post and tell us of the view from the Chorus.....

Or, if you are really paranoid, PM a member who has posted and let them know... (or arrange to leave an envelope with a message in a dead letter drop location...)

[Nevilevelis]

Any members of the BBC S Chorus out there? - register, post and tell us of the view from the Chorus.....

Or, if you are really paranoid, PM a member who has posted and let them know... (or arrange to leave an envelope with a message in a dead letter drop location...)

I'm told his relationship with the chorus manager was "rather strained", but that the chorus adored him. That hardly seems to warrant the non-renewal of his contract, to me. Consistently high musical results and a happy chorus are surely more important. Perhaps managerial skills are more valued upstairs than musical, artistic ones... Worrying IF true!

[EnemyoftheStoat]

I'm told his relationship with the chorus manager was "rather strained", but that the chorus adored him. That hardly seems to warrant the non-renewal of his contract, to me. Consistently high musical results and a happy chorus are surely more important. Perhaps managerial skills are more valued upstairs than musical, artistic ones... Worrying IF true!

True, I'm afraid, in today's BBC. Jackson's approach and his pursuit of artistic ideals was just too professional for a lazy management; for example, the stuff with Whitacre scores was only the latest example of his standing up against the provision of sub-standard choral material by publishers - you wouldn't believe the rubbish that some of them expect choristers to work with... (As an aside, a good few years ago the BBC withdrew the services of an in-house librarian for the BBCSC, so the scores it uses are managed (distributed and returned) by a diligent BBCSC librarian and his team, for no payment as far as I know.)

If you're ever looking to perform a major 20th century choral work and you think what the publisher gives you is crap, there's a fair chance that Stephen Jackson will have done it properly. If he'd been paid the true value of this service he'd be very well-off.

[Nevilevelis]

True, I'm afraid, in today's BBC. Jackson's approach and his pursuit of artistic ideals was just too professional for a lazy management; for example, the stuff with Whitacre scores was only the latest example of his standing up against the provision of sub-standard choral material by publishers - you wouldn't believe the rubbish that some of them expect choristers to work with...

Oh dear, that is depressing!

Slightly off-topic, I am told that most publishers no longer employ professional proof readers, (if that was the problem) - too expensive! My own certainly doesn't (a small one-man company) and it does cause problems. That second pair of eyes is vital.

Back on-topic. I worked with Stephen on numerous occasions as a deputy in a professional choir and quite a few of them, although by no means all, were antagonistic towards him on the basis that he wanted to rehearse thoroughly - "past the break" - until he achieved the results he wanted. I am quite happy to be rehearsed, and at length if required, especially when being paid well!

[Cockney Sparrow]

.........Slightly off-topic, I am told that most publishers no longer employ professional proof readers, (if that was the problem) - too expensive! My own certainly doesn't (a small one-man company) and it does cause problems. That second pair of eyes is vital................

If Novello employed one, they might be told how lacking in legibility their "New Novello" scores are. Faintly printed, like so much published books and magazines today, drives me to "Old Novello", Peters, Barenreiter, any decently printed score in preference even with the inconvenience of a score not aligned with the rest of the choir. And words miles away from the notes (and below the German words....). And the uniform small text size (10 point perhaps - I'd have to check). But perhaps they know all this, and couldn't care less !

Edit - Just to add for my final (for the present) New Novello gripe - paper quality. My latest frustration is paper which is on the way to being glossy - no chance of marking it with HB pencil - and even the 2B which I use makes a very faint impression, so not sufficiently legible....

[PJPJ]

We, too, read Richard Morrison's article in today's 'Times'. The 'old' journalist brings the BBC into disrepute thus:


The Times - Richard Morrison: Chorus director’s firing brings the BBC into disrepute

........

Our sympathy goes out to Stephen Jackson. It is a sad loss for the BBC!

I don't read The Times very often but was fortunate to borrow a copy yesterday over a supermarket cup of coffee. The BBC seems to me, too, to have brought itself into disrepute over this sad affair and I'm surprised Alan Davey has allowed himself to end up in the current unsatisfactory state of affairs.

I fear Morrison is correct when he says any protest over this will have not have the desired effect - that is, Stephen Jackson will not be reinstated.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

If Novello employed one, they might be told how lacking in legibility their "New Novello" scores are. Faintly printed, like so much published books and magazines today, drives me to "Old Novello", Peters, Barenreiter, any decently printed score in preference even with the inconvenience of a score not aligned with the rest of the choir. And words miles away from the notes (and below the German words....). And the uniform small text size (10 point perhaps - I'd have to check). But perhaps they know all this, and couldn't care less !

In terms of print quality, you're not wrong, although I'm not sure any publisher is without fault in terms of font size etc.

However, where they do diverge greatly is the quality of the actual choral score - or rather part in the more extreme cases. The non-provision of an actual piano reduction, or sometimes even a choral part with cues, renders them "unfit for purpose".