FoR3 speaks ...

[french frank]

In case anyone wants to read the talk I gave, on behalf of FoR3, to the Surrey Performing Arts Library last Sat, the text is here (pdf).

[french frank]

I've opened up this board in case, on some topics, people want to comment, but there's a new s/forum description asking people not to post new threads here.

[Anna]

Out of interest (as I haven't read your talk yet), your audience - I presume they are R3 listeners or else they wouldn't have invited you (!) - did their views of the station coincide with the general views here, i.e., dumbing down/presentation, etc., or are they the 'new' listeners?

[Gordon]

Thanks FF. Reads very well and an excellent description - who else could have done it! - not only of FoR3 and its origins but also explains reasons why it came into being at all and the general Arts context over the last 15 years or so.

What did the audience have to say afterwards - what questions etc?

[french frank]

Out of interest (as I haven't read your talk yet), your audience - I presume they are R3 listeners or else they wouldn't have invited you (!) - did their views of the station coincide with the general views here, i.e., dumbing down/presentation, etc., or are they the 'new' listeners?

They were merely a group who were presumed to have an interest in what Radio 3 broadcasts, which is why I spoke about music/drama/dance on the BBC as well as talking about Radio 3/FoR3.

Those I spoke to were indeed sympathetic, but I didn't feel it was appropriate to 'push' the FoR3 line to a general audience - merely outline what led up to our forming the group. I also mentioned the difficulties of attracting new/young audiences to the arts.

[french frank]

Thanks FF. Reads very well and an excellent description - who else could have done it! - not only of FoR3 and its origins but also explains reasons why it came into being at all and the general Arts context over the last 15 years or so.

What did the audience have to say afterwards - what questions etc?

My main line was that the BBC needed to pay more attention to the arts on mainstream services - particularly television/live drama. I think the audience appreciated that! They asked about funding (one man was amazed that the Proms didn't make a profit - in fact the BBC = Radio 3 had to shell out to make up the shortfall). But the age range was about as diverse as Radio 3's audience so I think they were also concerned that 'the arts' (in the classic sense) weren't replenishing their audiences.

My guess is that only a small number were actually Radio 3 listeners: and those I spoke to were aware of the problems...