BBC Proms Facts

What is the BBC Proms?

The BBC Proms is the world’s biggest and longest-running music festival and features many of the world’s greatest artists and orchestras. This year, over its two months, there are 76 concerts in the Royal Albert Hall and 12 in Cadogan Hall, as well as four Proms in the Park celebrations around the UK on the Last Night. There are also daily FREE Proms Plus talks, workshops, performances and family events.

How can I find out what’s on when?

The BBC Proms Guide 2012, available in bookshops, online and across the UK from 20 April, contains full details of the festival along with articles about the music and artists, priced £6.50. Full season details are also available at bbc.co.uk/proms from 2.00pm on 19 April. New for this season, BBC Proms 2012: Concerts and Events is available in an ebook format, from online retailers, priced £2.99.

Why is it called the ‘Proms’?

‘Proms’ is short for Promenade concerts, informal and inexpensive concerts where Promenaders (‘Prommers’) stand to listen. Promming tickets in 2012 are £5 for the seventh year running. The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, now known as the BBC Proms, has up to 900 Prommers standing in the central Arena and a further 500 standing, sitting or even lying down in the Gallery.

Where is the Proms held?

Since the first home of the Proms, the Queen’s Hall, was destroyed in 1941, concerts have been held in the Royal Albert Hall, though the BBC has the responsibility of running the Proms and for its artistic programme. There are also events at Cadogan Hall and a daily programme of FREE Proms Plus events at the Royal College of Music.

When did the Proms begin?

Henry Wood, who conducted almost every concert for nearly half a century, lifted his baton for the first time on Saturday 10 August 1895. Even then, Prom concerts were not a new idea: they started in France in the 1830s and were introduced to the UK shortly afterwards.

Whose idea was it?

The Proms was the brainchild of impresario Robert Newman, whose ambition was to enable people to enjoy ‘serious music’. Sir Henry Wood, founder-conductor of the Proms, believed in making the best-quality classical music available to the widest possible audience and that ambition remains central to the BBC Proms today.

How many people attend the Proms?

2011 was a record-breaking season for the BBC Proms. Over 300,000 people attended Proms concerts, average attendance for the main evening Proms in the Royal Albert Hall was 94%, and 52 of 74 concerts in the Royal Albert Hall sold out.

How can I access the Proms?

Every Prom is broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and in HD sound via the website at bbc.co.uk/radio3. They are also available to ‘listen again’ for seven days after broadcast at bbc.co.uk/proms. Selected Proms are televised on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and BBC HD throughout the season. Proms information can also be found via Facebook (facebook.com/theproms) and Twitter (@bbcproms / #bbcproms).

How many people watch and listen to the Proms?

In 2011 the BBC Proms reached a record 18.5 million viewers in the UK across all BBC television platforms. BBC Radio 3 reaches more than 2 million people each week and has a huge international reach through its broadcasts.

How much do tickets cost?

There are seven different price bands for concerts, ranging from £7.50 to £55 (excluding the Last Night). Arena and Gallery Promming tickets cost just £5 each. A Promming season ticket costs £190, bringing the cost of attending each concert down to £2.50. (Half-season tickets are also available at £110.) Also this year, for the first time, under-18s will be able to buy half-price tickets for all Proms, except the Last Night (previously, this offer has applied only to under-16s).

How can I book tickets?

Tickets go on sale at 9.00am on Saturday 12 May 2012. The online Proms Planner at bbc.co.uk/proms enables you to plan your concert attendance across the season before tickets go on sale. This will be available from 2.00pm on Thursday 19 April until midnight on Friday 11 May. From 9.00am on 12 May customers can also phone 0845 401 5040* or buy tickets in person at the Royal Albert Hall.

Who runs the Proms and how much does it cost?

The Proms is entirely run and funded by the BBC through the licence fee. The total cost of the Proms season, including hire of the Royal Albert Hall, artistic costs, management and extra events, not including Proms in the Park, is around £9 million with an expected £3.5 million gained back through box office income.

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