1890s - Victorian BeginningsItalian origins - the uniformed Italian band which had provided municipal music in Bournemouth since 1876, now conducted by Signor Bertini, became the First Corporation Military Band.
1900s - Edwardian and Elgarian EchoesThe BMO was now firmly established with series of both symphony and popular classical concerts in the Winter Gardens and elsewhere including the Pier.
1910s - The Strains of an Orchestra in WartimeThe Orchestra has to contend with the threat and then the reality of war as the years of 1914-1918 cast their shadow and erase forever the glamour of Edwardian times.
1920s - The Testing TwentiesIn the 1920s with the First War over there were still continuing financial problems for the Orchestra.
1930s - Sir Dan Godfrey Leaves the StageThe 1930s saw the Orchestra housed in the Pavilion, broadcasting weekly, and surviving the retirement (1934) and death (1939) of Sir Dan, both occasions marked with due honour.
1940s - Post-war Ups and DownsThe skeleton 24-player band under Montague Birch, which kept the musical flag flying throughout the war years, grew once again to a symphony orchestra of sixty musicians.
1950s – Broader HorizonsRudolf Schwarz marries and enjoys a ‘honeymoon’ by walking his Swedish wife along the beach from Shell Bay to Studland with tea at the Knoll House. Sadly, the players were on strike for two months.
1960s - The Magic Of Constantin SilvestriIt is said that Schwarz made the BSO a national asset, Groves saved it from extinction and the 1960s partnership of the Orchestra with the Romanian Principal Conductor Constantin Silvestri brought it international prestige.
1970s – A Scandinavian FlavourThe direction of the Orchestra was now in the capable hands of George Hurst who is highly esteemed as a teacher of conducting and interpreter of Elgar. With him the BSO made both Elgar and Holst (The Planets) recordings.
1980s - USSR to USA With Poole Arts Centre now established, the 1980s see the Wessex Hall become the main concert venue and recording and rehearsal centre for the Orchestra.
1990s - Celebrating One Hundred YearsThe 1990s will be remembered for the Centenary itself when the Prime Minister referred to the BSO as ‘one of the country’s most distinguished musical institutions'.
2000s - Into the New MillenniumBSO ensembles begin regular programme of concerts in smaller venues across the region. Millennium outdoor firework concerts season breaks attendance records and Christmas sees a special Ron Goodwin 75th Birthday Concert.
