BBC Orchestras and Singers refers collectively to a number of orchestras, choirs and other musical ensembles, maintained by the BBC.

Current operation

All of the BBC’s Orchestras and Singers record performances primarily for BBC Radio 3, with the exception of the BBC Concert Orchestra which also has a dual role shared with BBC Radio 2. Recordings are either taken from one of around 400 live concerts each year with an audience,[1] or from studio sessions.

Unusually for BBC departments, all of the ensembles also take part in a number of non-broadcast activities, including festival appearances and international touring, and in education work within their regional communities.

The ensembles managed in England report to the Controller of Radio 3[2] with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra reporting to BBC Cymru Wales[3] and BBC Scotland respectively.

In 2012, John Myerscough was commissioned to report on potential financial savings of the BBC’s Orchestras and Singers. He recommended no more than 10% budget cuts, highlighting the ensembles' successful range of work.[4]

The two choruses, BBC Symphony Chorus and BBC National Chorus of Wales, are volunteer choristers and are not paid a salary. The BBC Singers are the UK’s only full-time professional chamber choir, and along with the five orchestras, they are full-time salaried musicians whose pay is negotiated with the Musicians' Union (United Kingdom).

In March 2021, it was announced that the BBC Concert Orchestra would relocate to a new city "outside of the M25",[5] as part of wider BBC announcements redistributing hundreds of jobs outside of London.[6][7]

In March 2023 the BBC announced plans reduce salaried orchestral posts across the BBC Symphony, Concert and Philharmonic orchestras by around 20% and close the BBC Singers.[8] After protests by the Musicians Union and the broader musical community the BBC said in April that it would seek alternative ways of finding financial savings that would seek to sustain the future of BBC performing groups.[9]

Current list of ensembles

Disbanded BBC ensembles

References

  1. ^ "BBC National Orchestra of Wales to Tour China with Principal Guest Conductor Xian Zhang | British Council". www.britishcouncil.cn. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Alan Davey". bbc.com. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Orchestra Director, National Orchestra of Wales | Jobs and careers with BBC". careerssearch.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Review of the BBC's Performing Groups". BBC. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  5. ^ "BBC Concert Orchestra relocating to a new location outside the M25". Classical Music. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  6. ^ "BBC to move key jobs and programmes out of London". BBC News. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  7. ^ "BBC to move 400 jobs out of London". The Independent. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  8. ^ BBC Media Centre, 7 March 2023. New strategy for Classical Music prioritises Quality, Agility and Impact
  9. ^ Nadia Khomami. 'BBC changes course on proposed cuts to English orchestras', in The Guardian, 13 Apr 2023
  10. ^ Robert Farnon Society
  11. ^ National Programmes, Radio Times, 14 August 1936, Issue 672, p.35
  12. ^ Howard Leader: The BBC Midland Light Orchestra (radio documentary
  13. ^ 'The BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra', Masters of Melody
  14. ^ Gramophone
  15. ^ Tunley, David. The Bel Canto Violin: The Life and Times of Alfredo Campoli (2019)
  16. ^ Seán Street (21 April 2015). Historical Dictionary of British Radio. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 53–. ISBN 978-1-4422-4923-3.
  17. ^ 'BBC Orchestras in the West of England', Masters of Melody
  18. ^ 'BBC Orchestras in the West of England', at mastersofmelody.co.uk
  19. ^ Radio Times, 10 February 1966, p 3

External links

BBC Orchestras and Singers
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