A friend on FB pointed out that even before the closure of Lampeter and Cardiff Uni music dept, we’d lost St David’s Hall, Cardiff Singer of the World, the Junior Dept of Royal Welsh Coll of Music and Drama. And apparently WNO isn’t in great shape either. It’s very bad news for arts in Wales. - ThreadSky

whenisbirths.bsky.social • 30 days ago

A friend on FB pointed out that even before the closure of Lampeter and Cardiff Uni music dept, we’d lost St David’s Hall, Cardiff Singer of the World, the Junior Dept of Royal Welsh Coll of Music and Drama. And apparently WNO isn’t in great shape either. It’s very bad news for arts in Wales.

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whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

‘Land of Song’ and all that, well now.

whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

I realise this is comparative peanuts in today’s headlines, but it is relevant because where is the money ultimately going?

whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

Still, hours of TOTP repeats because BBC4 is a ‘place to think’, oh yes.

whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

Which of course I watch (up to a point) but is that it?

magstheobscure.bsky.social•30 days ago

I'm not happy with them replacing the Afternoon Concert with Classical Live. The latter appears to be them slicing up concerts for the popular bits. Which considering most new work gets premièred between popular bits.

whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

I have really gone off a lot of R3, sadly. The promos drive me bananas.

celestialweasel.bsky.social•30 days ago

The BBC badly needs to cut down on channels. 2 TV, 4 or 5 radio

whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

There really isn’t enough programming anymore to fill all the space.

celestialweasel.bsky.social•30 days ago

Very much so

southlondongirl.bsky.social•30 days ago

And Michael Sheen propping up theatre with his own cash. Confession: didn’t know Cardiff Singer had gone.

But what money do you mean when you ask where it’s going?

whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

I guess there is this assumption now that money can be better spent on other things (vague and woolly but it is late). I feel sad that there are so few outlets for music in Wales now and outside London generally.

southlondongirl.bsky.social•30 days ago

I’ve always assumed Welsh tax revenue is low, salaries always seem so there and I wonder if spending on health is higher. I know v high rates of disability payments in the valleys. Then infrastructure is so bad I have no idea how it can improve.

southlondongirl.bsky.social•30 days ago

Completely agree about the arts being a mess everywhere but London (and maybe Edinburgh?)

whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

From a personal perspective, it just feels like there are fewer things to go and see round here. Big acts come but I don’t have £100 for every time I want to go to a concert.

southlondongirl.bsky.social•30 days ago

I feel your pain. Living in London on a v normal salary means I don’t go to much live stuff either.

magstheobscure.bsky.social•30 days ago

Edinburgh is really terrible outside the Festival. And once the Festival is on it's a nightmare.

Also the International Festival which has the big theatre/concert/opera stuff is becoming lesser and lesser.

southlondongirl.bsky.social•30 days ago

Interesting. I’m basing my overly optimistic opinion on a few online friends there who seem to live culturally rich lives there: art, theatre, music etc. seems better than virtually anywhere else… Where would you rate higher?

jalata.bsky.social•29 days ago

First Minister at Other Voices festival in Cardigan last October spoke in a heartfelt way about promoting arts & culture and Wales on a wider stage - all while Welsh opera & theatre had already lost funding.

oitappin.bsky.social•30 days ago

After a few members of staff said to me tonight that the "Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is just across the road" I had to point out you don't get in there unless you are exceptionally talented, and they aren't going to expand.

whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

Yeah, there aren’t many places available.

teachypiano.bsky.social•30 days ago

Having got my undergrad degree at Cardiff uni and a post grad diploma (and taught for >15 years) at RWCMD, it’s infuriating that they are seen as interchangeable institutions.

grahamdjohns.bsky.social•30 days ago

The money is mainly going on the Welsh NHS which is in permanent crisis. We're older, sicker, unhealthier, poorer & the service can't attract staff. It feels like a doom loop

whenisbirths.bsky.social•30 days ago

Oh god, this is the other thing, very aware of this side of it too. The bloody waiting lists!

grahamdjohns.bsky.social•29 days ago

I'm clocking on a bit now & I've had the odd minor issue treated quickly & without fuss. No complaints at all. But the horror stories I keep hearing about people requiring A&E. Jeez.

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