The BBC Symphony Orchestra is considered the flagship orchestra of the BBC. Based in London, it was formed in 1930 under Sir Adrian Boult, only three years after the incorporation of the BBC. Its primary purpose was to serve as a permanent, full-time orchestra performing music for broadcast. The orchestra developed a reputation for performing new music and has provided premier performances of hundreds of musical pieces, many of which were specifically written for broadcast on the BBC. One very significant charge given to the orchestra was to provide much of the music for the world­ famous Henry Woods Promenade Concerts (the "Proms"), a two-month festival held each summer in London's Royal Albert Hall and broadcast over the BBC's Radio 3. The orchestra also performs another festival each January, recognizing and celebrating the work of a 20th-century composer. In addition to these performances for broadcast, the BBC Symphony Orchestra stays busy with concert appearances, recording sessions, and international tours.

     The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, based in Manchester, originated as a small ensemble of 12 players assembled to perform music for Manchester's first radio station, which began broadcasting in 1922 and was known by the call sign 2ZY. Consequently, the orchestra was first called the 2ZY Orchestra. Typically, the 2ZY Orchestra performed lighter music because of its smaller size. On occasion, however, extra players were brought in and more elaborate concertos and even symphonies were offered. After a few years, the radio station 2ZY became part of what is now the BBC. 2ZY's station manager, Dan Godfrey, Jr., had so impressed the BBC that he was moved to London to oversee the orchestra there. Shortly thereafter, under a new leader, T.H. Morrison, the 2ZY Orchestra was renamed the Northern Wireless Orchestra (NWO).

     The BBC established the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1930 to serve the entire BBC system, a decision that led to a reduction in support of regional orchestras such as the Northern Wireless Orchestra. To the public's dismay, the NWO became a nine-piece ensemble, the Northern Studio Orchestra. But it soon became clear that one orchestra could not meet the level of demand for broadcast music, and the regional orchestras were restored. The Manchester orchestra was re-estab­lished as the BBC Northern Orchestra, and in spite of continuing threats to its existence, the orchestra endured. During the second half of the 20th century, it achieved symphonic strength, found new prestige leading to invitations to perform at events such as the Proms, and embraced its new name, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. The philharmonic performs for a number of festivals in the United Kingdom and internationally. It also makes studio recordings that are available to the public.

     The BBC Concert Orchestra, based in North London, was established in 1952, in part to supplement the broadcast work of the symphony orchestra and the regional groups. Its repertoire combined traditional classical music with light, popular works. The concert orchestra performs regularly for BBC Radio 2, as it is featured each Friday evening on the program Friday Night Is Music Night. Other performances include broadcast music for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Television, studio recordings, and annual appearances at the Proms. In addition, the concert orchestra hosts its own festival of popular classics at the Royal Festival Hall in London and makes other concert appearances throughout the United Kingdom and the world.

     The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is another of the BBC's regional performing groups. Established in 1935 as the BBC Scottish Orchestra, it was Scotland's first full-time orchestra. Its primary role was performing music for broadcast over BBC Scotland. Early on, however, the BBC Scottish Orchestra also became involved with the Edinburgh Festival, which allowed the public to enjoy the orchestra in person and offered players an opportunity to perform with many internationally acclaimed musicians and artists. As the orchestra grew in fame and stature, its name was changed in 1967 to the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Since the 1960s, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has regularly performed at the Proms in London, toured internationally, and-more recently-recorded a number of popular, award-winning compact discs.

     The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is another regional symphony orchestra that was created to perform music for broadcast over the BBC. Its music is heard frequently on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Cymru/Wales, and BBC Television. The National Orchestra of Wales performs several times each year at the Proms, as the other BBC orchestras do; it also tours internationally and makes recordings.

     A sixth "orchestra," the BBC Big Band, features jazz music and is the only remaining survivor of several popular and light music orchestras that were discontinued during the 1960s and 1970s.

     Each of the BBC orchestras continues to pursue its primary purpose of providing music for broadcast over the BBC, especially for BBC Radio 3, the classical music channel. But each orchestra also has broadened its output to include international tours, concert appearances, studio recordings, and even educational efforts to teach young people about fine music. In every case, the BBC through its orchestras fulfills its mission of informing, entertaining, and providing cultural enrichment to citizens of the United Kingdom and many other parts of the world.