Here’s another sign of troubled arts funding in England that is threatening to silence another renowned choir.

St John’s Cambridge has told members of its mixed choir “St John’s Voices” that the group will be abolished and Graham Walker, their director of music, will be let go at the end of the next term.

Apparently, the College Master, who is a former civil servant, has decided there is no need for a mixed choir now that the main college choir has female choristers and altos.

St John’s Voices, is renowned across the music industry, with many recordings and tours to its credit.  Members hope news of its abolition will trigger resistance of the kind that recently saved the BBC Singers.