However over the years it’s style has now become outdated, its material frowned upon, its appearance and smell uninviting. Even perhaps signifying status and class. At one time it may have been the height of fashion to own, being warm and trendy attire for its wearer. Speaking against it, it can be like a old rotting musty animal fur coat that sits in the attic, only to see daylight once a year. Adorned occasionally and for momentous occasions. Harmless in its essence, alluring in its appearance and holding treasured nostalgia for its keeper.

Speaking in its favour, it’s like a beautiful piece of jewellery, passed down through generations. Now don’t get me wrong, I can see the merits of some traditions. I think we always have to scrutinise our behaviours on every level of our lives, because complacency to do what’s always been done or to go with what’s put in front of you leads to the omission of critical thinking and the stifling of generating new ideas. Where things are done just because that’s the way they always have been.

The perpetuation of tradition for tradition’s sakeįor the past four years or so, if I’ve ever been employed to play at any last night of the proms style gigs I’ve taken it upon myself as my own personal protest not to partake in the traditional rendition of Rule, Britannia! I’ve had a few minor slaps on the wrist, but in amongst the jovial flag waving chaos it generally goes unnoticed in my section.įor those that know me and my advocacy work in classical music, they know that I’m quite vocally sceptical of ‘tradition’, or rather the perpetuation of tradition for traditions’ sake. And the second, well if the conductor of the concert has no business in the concert she is conducting. She has no business interfering”. The first part of that statement felt like a call for a patriarchal silencing. I was triggered when I read a response to a post on Facebook about the subject, saying words to the effect of, “she would have done well to keep her mouth shut. I’m also disappointed to say there has been some rather needless and abhorrent mudslinging, in particular toward this years conductor of the last night, Stasevska, for expressing her opinion. I saw a Twitter outrage that, “they have the audacity to dictate what we can and can’t sing.” Which I found surprising because I’m pretty sure the average member of the public rarely takes a vested interest, never mind active involvement in programming any of the proms schedule. In fact we are still doing the work to make our industry better for everyone despite the fact that we’re in no mans land, on all issues to do with equality. Not to mention that raising (or should I say re-raising) this issue will not deflect or hinder a return to work for musicians. As long as it’s happening, it’s still on the table for discussion. And for those who think we have bigger fish to fry with the state that our industry is in, I empathise. This time around even the likes of our Prime Minister and Piers Morgan (both synonymous for their work in, attendance to, and advocacy for classical music) felt the need to weigh in. (I’m wondering how many of those ten thousand actually know the lyrics!).įor anybody who is just hearing about this I assure you it’s not a new debate.

Over ten thousand people signed a petition for the lyrics to be remain both in the piece, and unchanged. Without doubt the largest most globally publicised classical music festival in the world.Īs we approach the close of the festival, debate has been brought to the fore over the lyrics to ‘Rule, Britannia!’. I don’t need to say as it’s all over the news but we are right in the midst of what would have been prom season. In light of what’s been happening in national press I have found my conviction over one particular subject rekindled. As long as it’s happening, it’s still on the table for discussion.' - Linton Stephens.

Rule britannia composer