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printNational protests today against CBC classical-music cuts
Supporters of classical music are staging a national day of action today (April 11) in response to the programming changes at CBC Radio Two and the axing of the CBC Vancouver Radio Orchestra.
Billing their protest as “Raise a Ruckus for Radio Two!”, simultaneous demonstrations were staged at 9 a.m. PST at CBC facilities across the country, including Vancouver’s CBC headquarters at 775 Cambie Street.
The protests were largely organized through Facebook, where more than 13,000 people have joined the group Save Classical Music at the CBC, and close to 7,000 have joined the group Save the CBC Radio Orchestra!.
The fight to save the CBC Radio Orchestra has rapidly gained momentum, with federal NDP candidate for Vancouver Kingsway Don Davies releasing a press release on April 9 that called on the governing body of the CBC and the feds to ensure the orchestra’s continued funding.
In the press release, Davies stated: “With the planned dismantling of the CBC Radio Orchestra, Vancouver risks the loss of some of our most accomplished musicians to orchestras in the U.S. and Europe. We can ill afford to lose the talents of our local artists and deny the next generation of musicians the opportunity to pursue their careers in Canada.”
The UBC student orchestra has dedicated its concert this evening to the CBC Radio Orchestra, and the organizers of Festival Vancouver have also joined the cause, issuing a call for festival supporters to attend today’s rallies.
Local composer John Oliver has created a web page dedicated to challenging the changes at CBC, with links to petitions, polls, and blogs about the issue.
Oliver has also launched a campaign to raise enough cash to buy a national advertisement to counter the ad, taken out by the CBC, that promoted the changes to CBC Radio Two in the Globe and Mail on March 29.
To date, Oliver has raised $3,100—far short of his target of $50,000.
See also:
Axing of CBC orchestra ignites protest
A battle to save the CBC Radio Orchestra
When CBC bureaucrats who have taken over the CBC programming via the Harper government say that "classical" music is "elitist" it's insulting to ALL Canadians, and our caution lights go on. The implication here is that only the "elite"... the musical "snobs"... are capable of appreciating "classical" music. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's the very ability of "classical" music to unify Canadians that is feared . "Classical" music programming on CBC has been appreciated over the decades by Commercial Fishers, Loggers, Tree Planters, Construction Workers, Ranchers, Truckers, Shut-ins, Nurses, Cabbies, Joggers, Farmers, Horse Trainers, Merchants, Hairdressers, Tug boat Captains... the list goes on. When Canadians can be separated, and divided other more insidious agendas can be achieved.
In order to accomplish the commercialization of the CBC the current CBC bureaucrats' tactic is pitting people against one another. It is hidden in the guise of terms such as "reflect Canada and its regions to national and regional audiences, (and) actively contribute to the flow and exchange of cultural expression" and "to reflect the multicultural and multiracial nature of Canada." (Taken from a letter I received from Richard Stursberg & Jennifer McGuire) This type of divisive rhetoric does nothing to promote multiculturalism, but rather separates cultures by type of music and indeed promotes racism. It's offensive. People of all cultures enjoy "classical" music. We all know that! How stupid do they really think we are?
I call upon people from all walks of life to stand up against this cultural censorship and write to the CBC bureaucrats, and Government representatives including your MP to express your outrage at being treated in such a patronizing and authoritarian manner. Sign the SaveCBCOrchestra.com petition. Donate to the advertising campaign at StandOnGuardforCBC.ca . The CBC and CBC Orchestra are owned by us, the People of Canada. Demand the rescinding of the decision to eliminate the CBC Orchestra and denounce the commercialization of CBC Radio & TV. Canadians are smart. We get it. We know when we are being duped. Now get out that pencil or type a letter. If we lose the CBC and CBC Orchestra we won't get it back. Once a governing body begins to tell us what we can listen to the "Thought Police" are close behind. Beware.
Cindy Sleeman, North Vancouver