Sound Exposure Monitoring and Management

The BBC operates five full-time orchestras, the BBC Singers and two amateur choruses across the United Kingdom. Together, BBC Orchestras and Choirs undertake a wide range of rehearsals, performances, broadcasts, recordings, education projects and touring activity each year.

As part of its commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of orchestral musicians, singers and other staff, the BBC has an ongoing interest in understanding and managing exposure to elevated sound levels during rehearsals, performances, recordings, broadcasts and other music-making activity. The BBC recognises that sound exposure management within professional music environments can be complex.

Exposure levels may vary considerably depending on factors such as repertoire, instrumentation, venue acoustics, amplification, stage layouts, rehearsal schedules and individual positions within an ensemble. Through this RFI, the BBC wishes to engage with the market to better understand the capabilities currently available, how comparable organisations are approaching these challenges and what future developments may be emerging in this area.