Page 109 - RPS Awards 2023 Coverage Book

2 March 2023

‘It takes a community to develop a musician’: the

Royal Philharmonic Society’s John Gilhooly

John Gilhooly

In an edited extract from his speech at the 2023 Royal Philharmonic awards, its
chairman urges joined up thinking to ensure a healthy future for an art form that is
central to the wellbeing and prosperity of our national life
It’s been a traumatic few years for live music, and the past six months have made many
musicians and devoted administrators question just how much we are valued.

But let us not lose hope. A long view is necessary. Think of the period since 1900. Our
four nations’ musical life has survived world wars, terrorism, pandemics and economic
meltdowns, because audiences wanted it to survive. There is still a palpable hunger for
live classical music among an increasing cross-section of society. A century ago, many
of our treasured ensembles and musical organisations didn’t yet exist. Against the odds,
exciting new ones are emerging yet.

There is however a current tension between the music profession and some key funders,
with mistrust and misunderstanding on both sides. Those in the industry feel
sometimes that we are being instructed to dilute the quality of what we have to offer.
Richard Morrison, commenting in the Times on the arrival of the 12th culture secretary
in 13 years, suggested that she should bang heads together at Arts Council England, as
there seems to be an ideological crusade against core classical music at that address.
Don’t get me wrong, industry leaders appreciate the core principles of Let’s Create,