The decision by the BBC to close its choir, the BBC Singers, as well as cutting the salaried members of its English orchestras by 20 per cent, has provoked a powerful letter of condemnation from conductors, composers and other artists involved with the corporation's ensembles.

The lists of signatories to the letter - widely circulated on social media - include the Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra Sakari Oramo, Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Ryan Wigglesworth, Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic John Storgårds, and Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Ryan Bancroft, as well as with many holders of guest and associated positions across the groups, including Dalia Stasevska, Ilan Volkov, Semyon Bychkov and Jules Buckley. Joining BBC Singers Chief Conductor Sofi Jeannin in signing the letter are many artists associated with the choir, including Bob Chilcott, Anna Lapwood, Owain Park, Abel Selaocoe and Roderick Williams.

Expressing 'disbelief' at the plans - made by the BBC as part of a process of implementing its new strategy for classical music, and announced on Tuesday - the letter accuses the BBC of 'a shocking disregard not only of how artistic excellence takes root but, furthermore, how the BBC's great legacy across the arts is viewed and envied around the world'.

Addressed to Tim Davie, BBC Director General, Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, and Simon Webb, Head of Orchestras and Choirs, it invites the BBC to 'enter into a real and genuine dialogue' about the decision. Passionate opposition to the plans has also been voiced on social media by artists from across the country and beyond.

In a statement announcing the decision, Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer had said: 'This is the first major review of classical music at the BBC in a generation. This new strategy is bold, ambitious, and good for the sector and for audiences who love classical music. That doesn’t mean that we haven’t had to make some difficult decisions, but equally they are the right ones for the future.'

The announcement included a doubling of funding for music education, while the decision to close the BBC Singers was, the BBC statement said, being taken 'in order to invest more widely in the future of choral singing across the UK, working with a wide range of choral groups alongside launching a major choral development programme for new talent.' As regards the BBC's orchestras, the corporation wants to create 'agile ensembles that can work flexibly and creatively, working with more musicians and broadcasting from more venues.'

Meanwhile, a petition calling for the BBC to reverse the decision has already reached more than 65,000 names - you can find it here: 

The BBC Singers, whose roots can be traced back to 1924, are acclaimed for their excellence on stage and in the studio: you can explore our listening list of five of their finest recordings here.