BBC National Orchestra of Wales has a special role as both a national and broadcasting orchestra, acclaimed not only for the quality of its performances but also for its importance within its own community.

The orchestra has won considerable acclaim over recent years, under its conducting team of principal conductor Thierry Fischer, principal guest conductor Jac van Steen and conductor laureate Tadaaki Otaka.

September 2008 saw the arrival of associate guest conductor François-Xavier Roth. In February 2006 the orchestra appointed Guto Puw as its resident composer, and commissioned him to write three works.

In 2008 Simon Holt took up the role of composer-in-association, consolidating the ensemble's commitment to performing contemporary music.

BBC National Orchestra of Wales is orchestra-in-residence at St David's Hall, Cardiff, and also presents a concert series at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. As well as international touring, it is in demand at major UK festivals and performs every year at the BBC Proms.

In January 2009 the orchestra moved to its new state-of-the-art recording and rehearsal base, BBC Hoddinott Hall at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

The orchestra enjoys close working relationships with radio and television programme makers and recorded the soundtracks to BBC Cymru Wales' Doctor Who and Torchwood series.