BBC Orchestras and Choirs Events
Wed 21 Oct 2026
- 13:20BBC Philharmonic Studio, MediaCityUK
Visit our recording studio at MediaCityUK and witness the orchestra as we broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 to millions of listeners around the world. These 60-minute afternoon concerts are hosted by a range of star presenters from across the BBC.
Visit our recording studio at MediaCityUK and witness the orchestra as we broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 to millions of listeners around the world. These 60-minute afternoon concerts are hosted by a range of star presenters from across the BBC.
Fri 23 Oct 2026
- 19:30Barbican, London
Debussy’s 'La mer' crowns a concert that surges with elemental power; whether Britten’s East Anglian seascapes or Shostakovich at his punchiest.
Debussy’s 'La mer' crowns a concert that surges with elemental power; whether Britten’s East Anglian seascapes or Shostakovich at his punchiest.
Programme
- Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’
- Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major
- interval
- ElysianUK Premiere
- La mer
Performers
- Sakari Oramoconductor
- Senja Rummukainencello
Sat 24 Oct 2026
- 17:00Aberfan Community Centre
Marking 60 years since the Aberfan disaster, this special event centres on Paul Mealor’s newly commissioned From Darkness into Light: a concert requiem for hope with words by Grahame Davies.
Marking 60 years since the Aberfan disaster, this special event centres on Paul Mealor’s newly commissioned From Darkness into Light: a concert requiem for hope with words by Grahame Davies.
Programme
- From Darkness to LightWorld Premiere
Performers
- Timothy RedmondConductor
- Mark Lewis Jonesnarrator
- Ynysowen Primary School & Ysgol Gymraeg Rhyd Y Grug Combined Choirs
- Ynysowen Male Voice Choir
- Grahame DaviesLibrettist/Writer
Composers
- 19:30Royal Albert Hall
Genre-defying Orchestral Qawwali Project return to the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Part ofBBC Concert Orchestra 2026-2027 - 19:30The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Alina Ibragimova is soloist for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, alongside Mahler’s heaven-sent Symphony No. 4 and Cassandra Miller’s Swim.
Alina Ibragimova is soloist for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, alongside Mahler’s heaven-sent Symphony No. 4 and Cassandra Miller’s Swim.
Programme
- Swim(17 mins)
- Violin Concerto in E minor(26 mins)
- interval
- Symphony No. 4(56 mins)
Performers
- John Storgårdsconductor
- Alina Ibragimovaviolin
- Sheva Tehovalsoprano
Tue 20 Oct 2026
- 19:30Royal Albert Hall
The BBC Singers join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening delving into deep space in high definition.
The BBC Singers join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening delving into deep space in high definition.
Programme
- Deep Field
- The Moonwalkersarr. Kelly
Performers
- Grace Davidsonsoprano
- BBC Singersensemble
- Anthony Gabrieleconductor
Composers
Part ofBBC Singers 2026-27
Sun 18 Oct 2026
- 19:30Alexandra Palace
Friday Night is Music Night hosts an enchanting exploration of the music of sleep, live from Alexandra Palace.
Friday Night is Music Night hosts an enchanting exploration of the music of sleep, live from Alexandra Palace.
Programme
- Symphony no. 3Movement 1
- Gaspard de la nuitMovement 2: Le Gibet
- Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)
- Sleeptalker
- Piano Concerto in G major
- A Night on the Bare Mountain (orch. Rimsky-Korsakov)
- On the Nature of Daylight
Performers
- Edwin Outwaterconductor
- Mishka Rushdie Momenpiano
- Maggie Bainactor
- Rachel-Leah Hoskeractor
- Jack Norrisactor
- Ruth Marinercreative director
- Ana Inés Jabares-Pitaspatial designer
- Caitlin Abbottassociate designer
Part ofBBC Concert Orchestra 2026-2027
Fri 16 Oct 2026
- 19:30Milton Court
On the back of two highly successful concerts of the world of musical theatre, the BBC Singers kick off their 2026/27 concerts at Milton Court with Chief Conductor Owain Park exploring the music of Academy and Grammy award winning composer Alan Menken.
On the back of two highly successful concerts of the world of musical theatre, the BBC Singers kick off their 2026/27 concerts at Milton Court with Chief Conductor Owain Park exploring the music of Academy and Grammy award winning composer Alan Menken.
Programme
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame – The Bells of Notre Dame(6 mins)arr. Matteo Rosa
- Beauty and the Beast – Belle(5 mins)arr. Danny Troob
- Aladdin – A Whole New World(3 mins)arr. William Kidd
- The Little Mermaid – Poor Unfortunate Souls(5 mins)arr. Fedor Vrtacnik
- Beauty and the Beast – Gaston(4 mins)arr. Danny Troob
- Pocahontas – Just Around the Riverbend(3 mins)arr. J Eric Schmidt
- Little Shop of Horrors – Dentist!(3 mins)arr. Danny Troob
- Little Shop of Horrors – Suddenly Seymour(4 mins)
- Aladdin – Proud of Your Boy(3 mins)
- Beauty and the Beast – Be Our Guest(4 mins)arr. Fedor Vrtacnik
- interval
- Captain America – Star Spangled Man(3 mins)arr. Simon Nathan
- Hercules – Go the Distance(3 mins)arr. Bruce Healy & Greg Prechel
- The Little Mermaid – Part of Your World(3 mins)arr. Bruce Healy & Gregory Smith
- King David – Saul Has Slain His Thousands(4 mins)arr. Danny Troob
- King David – When in Love(3 mins)arr. Danny Troob & Doug Besterman
- King David – The Long, Long Day & This New Jerusalem (Reprise)(4 mins)arr. Danny Troob & Doug Besterman
- Beauty and the Beast – Beauty and the Beast(4 mins)arr. Jamey Ray
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Finale Ultimo(11 mins)arr. Simon Nathan
Performers
- BBC Singersensemble
- Owain Parkconductor
Composers
- 20:00Royal Northern College of Music
Leader Zoë Beyers leads the latest instalment in our series at the RNCM – music from William Byrd, Benjamin Britten, Errollyn Wallen, Edmund Finnis, Tom Coult and Michael Tippett.
Leader Zoë Beyers leads the latest instalment in our series at the RNCM – music from William Byrd, Benjamin Britten, Errollyn Wallen, Edmund Finnis, Tom Coult and Michael Tippett.
Programme
- Christe qui lux es et dies(4 mins)
- Photography(12 mins)
- Les illuminations(23 mins)
- interval
- Hymn (after Byrd)(4 mins)
- Black Shuck Lament(10 mins)
- Fantasia Concertante on a Theme of Corelli(21 mins)
Performers
- Zoë Beyersdirector
- Guy Cuttingtenor
Thu 15 Oct 2026
- 19:00Bristol Beacon
We look to the future of classical music with the Grand Final of BBC Young Musician 2026, as three exceptional young instrumentalists compete for the coveted title.
Part ofBBC NOW 2026-27 Season
