During its 20 year reign on BBC radio, 'Morning Music' probably gave more air-time to light music than any other programme. It started in November 1945, broadcast between 7.15 and 7.50 a.m every day except Sunday on the Home Service and was an important vehicle for the many light music combinations on the air, which included major recording artists such as Mantovani, Charles Williams and Sidney Torch. Dance bands such as those of Lew Stone and Felix King also contributed as did all of the BBC's Staff light orchestras. The programme had brief announcements and time checks every ten minutes.

In 1949 the programme moved to a later slot - between 8.15 and 9.00a.m. again using a mixture of theatre orchestras such as Harold Collins, speciality orchestras formed essentially for radio such as those of Louis Voss and Anton, plus large recording orchestras under the direction of the likes of Ron Goodwin, Frank Chacksfield, Norrie Paramor etc.  

1957 saw a major overhaul of BBC schedules and 'Morning Music' transferred to the Light Programme, running from 7.00 to 9.00 a.m.  and consisted of unannounced studio-recorded instrumental music from three or four contrasting orchestras or ensembles every day.  The programme varied in length over the years and by January 1965 was running from 5.30 to 9.00 a.m and utilising over 35 musical combinations each week!. For clarity it should be pointed out that at certain times during the early sixties, similar styled programmes such  as 'On Your Way',  'Melody On the Move', 'On with the Bands' and 'The Bands Play On'  occupied the last  section  of this marathon and at certain times the day opened with the 30 minute programme 'Bright and Early'. 

But from January 1965 it was three and a half hours of 'Morning Music' - undoubtedly the longest daily programme on radio . In October 1965 the programme was re-named 'Breakfast Special' - added ingredients being a presenter and vocalists on record,thus reducing the need for so many studio orchestras.

It continued until 1972 when it was replaced by the 'Terry Wogan Show'  which used records to the exclusion of studio recorded music and must have come as a severe blow to the studio musicians for whom breakfast time radio had for so long represented a major part of their livelihood. 

Listen to an excerpt from Morning Music played by The BBC Midland Light Orchestra, conductor Jack Coles
The Jack Emblow Sextet
The Denny Boyce Band
and
The Cedric West Sextet
as broadcast on the BBC Light Programme at 7.00am on 7th August 1964.

Listen to Morning Music played by The BBC Northern Ireland Light Orchestra, conductor David Curry
as broadcast at 6.34am on 13th January 1962.

MORNING MUSIC at 6.34am to 7.15am. on 13th January 1962
played by the BBC Northern Ireland Light Orchestra
Leader: David Adams, Conductor: David Curry

Listen to 'Morning Music' played by Jack Leon and his Orchestra
as broadcast on 30th September 1954 at 8:20am.

MORNING MUSIC
Home Service 30th September 1954 at 8.20am.
played by Jack Leon and his Orchestra

MORNING MUSIC at 8.15am. on 8th August 1952
played by The Regent Orchestra
Conductor: John Thorpe

MORNING MUSIC on Saturday 22nd. October 1960 from 6.34am. to 8.15am
BBC Northern Ireland Light Orchestra
Conductor: David Curry
Louis Voss and his Kursaal Orchestra
Edward Rubach and the Novelairs