Classical musician says he lost his job and had to give up playing some instruments due to complaints
A professional musician was forced to evict his apartment after being handed a noise reduction notice by the city council.
Fiona Faye, a member of the classical choir Medieval Babes, was notified two weeks ago following a series of complaints from neighbors in Lewisham, south London.
The notice bans her from playing any instrument at home at any time.
Lewisham City Council said: “We do not make decisions like this lightly and have sought to avoid enforcement.”
Faye told the BBC that after two months of living in the apartment, she started receiving noise complaints from her downstairs neighbors.
She agreed to compromise with her neighbors and said she “stopped playing almost any instrument other than a guitar and a small whistle at the same volume as the vacuum cleaner.”
“When my neighbors were upset, I contacted the city council to find out if I was breaking the law.”
According to her, the city council said, “You sound like you have a guilty conscience against me or I won’t call you.”
“Emotional Burden and Economic Burden”
Faye decided to move out of her apartment after being issued a noise abatement notice prohibiting her from playing musical instruments.
She said the city council had warned that if the notice was breached, she could be forced into her premises, have her equipment confiscated and be fined up to £5,000.
image source, medieval beauty
Fiona Fey is part of a chart-topping classical music choir
She added, “This took a toll on me emotionally and took a toll on me financially.
“Every time I played music, it made me feel self-conscious and insecure.
“We’ve almost finished recording the album, but now the recording equipment is in storage and can’t be used.
“I’m currently living with a friend, but I don’t know how to find new housing because I can’t afford it.”
“Since November 2022, Lewisham City Council has been aware of noise problems in the residences, including loud music, playing musical instruments and singing, resulting in a large number of complaints,” said Lewisham City Council.
“Tenant refused to agree to good neighbor agreements or rehearsal times to avoid further concerns.
Lewisham Holmes instructed expert witnesses at the petitioner’s home in February 2023.
“The report confirmed that music from the residence was heard in the complainant’s home and was at an unreasonable level.”
Another semi-professional musician living in Lewisham also told the BBC that the city council had issued him a community protection notice barring him from playing instruments inside his house at any time of the day.
“It’s heartbreaking,” he said. “Music is my livelihood and not being able to play an instrument for five minutes in the house is exhausting.”
The musician, who now practices in his hut, wants Congress to have clear policy on how musicians can practice.
“Lewisham became a cultural hub last year, but I want people to realize that not everyone is wealthy enough to live in a house or own their own recording studio.
“We need policies to find a realistic middle ground so that neighbors are not just at odds with each other.
“Musicians make a tremendous contribution to our cultural life and economy,” said Colin Stewart, director of public affairs for the Society of Independent Musicians.
“Fundamentally, a musician must have the right to practice for professional work or entertainment.
“ISM regularly supports its members in the face of noise complaints and reasonable solutions are usually found through dialogue between local authorities, neighbors and musicians.
“Noise abatement notices can have a devastating effect, and using them to effectively ban musicians from practicing at home is simply wrong.”
