In 1981, the members of the disbanded BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra joined the Ulster Orchestra and the resulting broadcast agreement between the BBC and the Ulster Orchestra Society has brought Ulster Orchestra performances to audiences throughout Northern Ireland on BBC Radio Ulster, the UK on BBC Radio 3 and across Europe through the European Broadcasting Union. Live internet streaming has now given international access to the Orchestra’s concerts recorded by the BBC.

Performing and working with the best
The Ulster Orchestra makes regular appearances on BBC television and its annual performance at BBC Proms in the Park has produced some very special broadcast moments with great performers like Sir James Galway, the Chieftains, Duke Special, Lesley Garrett, The Priests and former winners of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition.

The BBC has also commissioned and broadcast new orchestral works by Northern Irish composers including Brian Irvine, Elaine Agnew, Deirdre McKay, Ian Wilson, Stephen
Gardner, Ed Bennett, Deirdre Gribbin, Philip Hammond and David Byers.

It has supported emerging performers through BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme and locally through the Young Artist Platform scheme (which BBC Northern Ireland collaborates with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland) by offering young artists début concertos with the Ulster Orchestra. These concerts take place in the Ulster Hall and are broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster’s Sounds Classical programme – the home of classical music on BBC Radio Ulster.

Jewel in the crown
The BBC continues to place the Ulster Orchestra at the core of its classical music output and one of the jewels in the crown is the annual BBC Summer Invitation Concert series with the Orchestra. Broadcast on BBC Radio 3, these take place in August each year with the Ulster Orchestra and BBC working together to produce a season of excellent concert performances and recording sessions.

For details of all BBC Concerts log onto the BBC website.