Following a competitive recruitment process, Jonathan Manners has been appointed the Director of the BBC Singers.
Since 2016, Jonathan has been Producer of the group, responsible for their artistic direction and their broadcast output. Under his leadership, the BBC Singers have broadened extensively: they have championed the work of female and culturally diverse composers, partnered with a wide range of artists and expanded the versatility of repertoire and musical genres they perform. This culminated in back-to-back nominations in the Ensemble Category of the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards in 2023 and 2024, the latter of which was won by the group.
The BBC Singers will perform in seven Proms this year, including the First Night of the Proms, the Last Night of the Proms, Berlin Philharmonic’s Bruckner Prom and the world premiere of Eternity in an Hour, a piece specially written for them by Eric Whitacre.
Prior to joining the BBC, Jonathan held the roles at the Academy of Ancient Music, English National Opera and the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras. He was co-founder of the multi-award-winning independent record label, Resonus Classics.
Jonathan Manners says: “I am thrilled to be stepping up to the role of Director of the BBC Singers, whilst retaining the artistic leadership of the group, which has been such a rewarding responsibility for nearly 9 years. It’s a very exciting time for us, as we gear up to our seven concerts at the BBC Proms and our own Centenary celebrations, beginning with our Centenary Concert at the Barbican in October. Audiences can expect to hear lots more from us and I look forward to collaborating with the Singers, BBC colleagues and the wider sector to ensure choral music is represented fully on the BBC. It’s an honour to continue to represent the individual members of the BBC Singers, and to champion their incredible artistry and musicianship”.
Simon Webb, Head of Orchestras and Choirs, says: “Jonny has done a stellar job as Producer of the BBC Singers, driving many of their inspired collaborations with the likes of Laura Mvula, Anna Lapwood, Abel Selaocoe, Clare Teal, Clive Myrie and Sofi Jeannin, and he has deservedly been promoted to Director. His experience with the choir and his creativity, ambition and passion for choral music makes him the ideal leader and I look forward to working with him”.
The BBC Singers received nominations for the Royal Philharmonic Society Ensemble Award in 2023 and 2024, the latter of which they won. As part the BBC’s plan to open its new BBC Music Studios at East Bank, the BBC Singers work closely with the local community in East London through a programme of local music education, outreach events and live performances. Earlier this year, the BBC Singers and The VOCES8 Foundation announced a partnership that will build on the valuable education and community work the BBC Singers already deliver across East London, as well as the commercial work already undertaken.
On 2 October, the BBC Singers Centenary Concert at the Barbican will be broadcast live on Radio 3, 100 years after the BBC Wireless Chorus – as they were once known – gave their first performance. Alongside music associated with the group is repertoire from the lighter side of their work, and a special world premiere from their Composer in Association, Roderick Williams.
Further events marking the BBC Singers’ centenary will be announced in the Autumn.
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