MU launches petition in support of Northern Ballet

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has launched a petition in support of Northern Ballet, calling for more support for the Leeds-based dance company after it announced plans to replace musicians in its orchestra with recorded music for some touring productions. 

The MU has rejected the proposal, asserting that ‘the live music experience that is an integral part of a quality ballet production’. The petition – which is addressed to Arts Council England (ACE) CEO Darren Henley, chair Sir Nicholas Serota, director of dance Cate Canniffe, director of music Claire Mera-Nelson and Northern Ballets executive director David Collins, chair Guy Perricone and board of directors – has reached over 14,700 signatures.

MU orchestras official Morris Stemp said: ‘Audiences deserve the full Northern Ballet experience every time. Investment is needed right now from Arts Council England whilst a longer-term funding solution is put together to bring the artform to towns and cities in the form that is vital to the experience – with live music at the heart of the production. This should be properly underpinned by investment centrally to make ballet available for all. That is what levelling up looks like, not live music if you’re in London and recorded music if you’re anywhere else.’ 

In October 2023, the dance company announced that it would have to replace its live orchestra with recorded music for touring productions due to a funding cut from ACE. Musicians in the Northern Ballet Sinfonia are on freelance contracts so the decrease in work represented by their replacement with recorded music will be reflected in their pay.

The MU is now calling on ACE to agree a ‘realistic and sustainable financial package’ with Northern Ballet that will protect musicians’ jobs and allow ‘live ballet that is genuinely live’ to tour the country. The union is also calling on government to ‘provide specific funding for touring to cover increasing costs’, ‘make the orchestral and theatre tax relief extensions permanent’ and ‘write off or delay repayment of Covid recovery loans’. Members of the public are also encouraged to sign the petition and email their MP in support of the musicians.