To Help Save Classical Music on CBC2
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has announced that its CBC2 network will curtail most prime time broadcasts of classical music, disband the CBC orchestra, and also continue the indefinite suspension of the CBC Young Composers Competition and the CBC National Competition for Young Performers. In addition, CBC Records has announced that the label will be moving away from classical releases. The scheduled curtailment of classical broadcasts will limit opportunities--including "friendly" radio programs listed on this Web site--for living composers and performers as well as listeners. More information is available at http://standonguardforcbcradio.earsay.com/.
Open Letter to CBC
To Canadian Broadcasting Corporatoin:
We of the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM) are deeply distressed to learn that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has proposed drastic cuts in classical music programming on CBC2. Current CBC2 programming provides critical opportunities for composers and performers of classical music, as well as for listeners around the world.
Since 2004, the IAWM's Advocacy Committee has maintained a list of radio stations (at http://www.iawm.org/radioRequests.htm) whose programmers are inclined to broadcast recordings of music composed by women. That CBC2 programs made the list indicates the breadth of those programs; their hosts have been willing to air the works of living composers and music outside the usual canon of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms.
We cannot urge you strongly enough to reconsider your decision to discontinue these very programs. Nor could we imagine a better cultural ambassador for Canada than CBC2.
Please see that the excellent classical music on CBC2 is allowed to continue.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Kilstofte
President
International Alliance for Women in Music