BBC Singers

Image: The Wireless Chorus in the Savoy Hill studio on 24 September 1928.

The BBC Singers were formed in 1924 as the Wireless Chorus. Their first broadcast was on 28 September, when they sung Mendelssohn's Elijah.

The BBC's professional chamber choir has been known by several names, from the Wireless Singers to the BBC Chorus, and also the Variety Chorus, Theatre Chorus and the Kentucky Minstrels.

They finally became the BBC Singers in 1972. Their reputation over the years has been built on their ability to tackle over five centuries of choral music, though in particular the demanding cutting-edge contemporary repertoire.

The BBC Singers have premiered many compositions that are now in the choral repertoire, including Britten's Hymn to St Cecilia and Poulenc's Figure Humaine, along with works from composers including Berio, Boulez, Tavener, Tippett and Xenakis.

Peter Pears was a member of the choir when they premiered Britten's A Boy Was Born in 1934. He went on to become the composer's muse and lifelong partner. Among other notable past members have been Sarah Connolly and Judith Bingham.

Today the BBC Singers are still based at the Maida Vale Studios in West London, although the BBC plans to move its current operations there to a new centre in Stratford, east London in 2025.

Celebrations for the Singers' 100th anniversary include Bach's sparkling motet Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms at a concert at The Barbican in London on 2 Oct 2024.

The singers will also perform works from the lighter side of their repetoire, including a whistlestop tour of musicals by Iain Farrington and a world premiere from their Composer in Association, Roderick Williams. They are joined by musicians from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the evening is hosted by Clive Myrie and Georgia Mann.