What is BBC Music? All-star God Only Knows video unveiled

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Sir Elton John, One Direction and Pharrell Williams are among the stars to feature in a new Beach Boys cover, used to launch a new "initiative" called BBC Music.

The God Only Knows video, reminiscent of BBC's 1997 Perfect Day track, features 27 artists, including Brian May on the guitar, Florence Welch standing in a colourful jungle and Kylie Minogue in a large CGI bubble.

The ensemble of musicians – dubbed The Impossible Orchestra – was revealed in a unique broadcasting moment at 8pm last night when nearly all of the BBC's television, radio and online networks debuted the track.

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The broadcaster refers to BBC Music as an "initiative" or "strategy" designed to strengthen the BBC's place as a "world leader in music broadcasting and commissioning". It also has the ambitious aim of "enhancing the UK's position as a world leader in music creation and performance".

But what does this mean in practical terms? Here are five examples of what BBC Music is doing:

Ten Pieces

In June the BBC unveiled Ten Pieces, a project aimed at bringing classical music into primary schools. This includes online resources, such as lesson plans about classical composers and printable music arrangements that can be played by school orchestras. There are also events planned throughout the school year, including live concerts in 2015.

Help for new artists

BBC Introducing website, which has been around for seven years, allows unsigned musicians to upload their best tracks with the aim of being played on one of the broadcaster's radio shows or performing at a BBC Introducing festival. With the launch of BBC Music, the BBC Introducing team has partnered up with the National Skills Academies and PRS for Music Foundation to widen access to the music industry.

BBC Playlister

BBC Music also has plans to develop its digital music service BBC Playlister. This allows users to create a playlist of music they have heard on BBC radio or television online. By clicking an orange 'Playlister Button' when it appears, users can create a playlist and send it to Spotify, iTunes, YouTube or Deezer to hear the songs in full.

BBC Music Awards

The first ever BBC Music Awards will take place on 11 December, hosted by Fearne Cotton and Chris Evans at Earls Court. It will feature live performances and awards such as British Artist of the Year, International Artist of the Year and Song of the Year.

More BBC music programmes

The BBC will be showing more prime-time music shows, including a new music slot on The One Show and several documentaries on the history of music for BBC Two. The channel is also working on a documentary series covering 100 years of music.