Musicians must stand together in credit crunch

LEADING conductor Sir Mark Elder has urged musicians to stand together and speak up for the arts during the credit crunch.

Speaking as he was presented with the Incorporated Society of Musicians' Distinguished Musician Award at the Royal Opera House last night, he said:
'Before the credit squeeze jumped on us, we were all nervous and apprehensive that the wonderful "Olympic dream" would drain the resources that might otherwise have gone to the arts.

'Now the credit squeeze has joined that pressure, it is all the more important to stand together and be prepared to speak out. Not as "whinging luvvies", but as people who stand up for something that they passionately believe in.'

Sir Mark Elder is the 27th recipient of the Distinguished Musician Award, the ISM's highest honour. Since 1976, the ISM has given the award to musicians including Jacqueline du Pré, Simon Rattle, Pierre Boulez and Janet Baker.

His friend and colleague, the accompanist Roger Vignoles, said:
'In Mark we have a truly rounded musician, truly a "musicians' musician". There is nobody more worthy of receiving this award from his colleagues in the profession.'

Sir Mark went on to emphasise the ISM's role in bringing together all types of music professionals: composers, performers and music teachers.

'This occasion allows me to state the importance of striving together. This very distinguished Society has stood for years as a voice and a forum for all types of musicians and what you do is of inestimable value. Combining creators, re-creators and teachers is the only way a united voice can be found in our profession.'

You can read the full text of Sir Mark Elder's speech on the ISM's website at www.ism.org