Matching Artistic Values & Public Service : Management of the Symphony Orchestra of the Belgian National Broadcasting Institute (N.I.R/ I.N.R) from 1930-1935

This article focuses on the musical management of the Symphony Orchestra of the Belgian national radio (N.I.R./I.N.R.) between 1930-1935. What and how can visions of (political) decision makers shape the financial, institutional and artistic management? What was the role and function of the Symphony Orchestra concerning artistic values and public service? We aim to make a critical refinement of the „production of culture‟ paradigm, the notion of new institutionalism and PSB. The data set is based on a preliminary historical source analysis of the annual reports, minutes of boards of governors and daily committee of the N.I.R./I.N.R. between 1930-1935. This article concludes that music played a growing role in the construction of the mission and the way public service was made operational in the beginning days of the Belgian radio. The cultural role and function of the Symphony Orchestra developed from serving the audience with entertainment to a symphony orchestra with growing attention for the cultural education of the audience