It was founded in 1988 to "promote and enhance the interests of all double reed players, whether students, amateurs, professionals or teachers".
[1] Primarily, the Society's members are British players of the oboe and bassoon.
Some specialise in the cor anglais, contrabassoon or French bassoon.
The current chair of the Society is James Turnbull and the joint presidents are Roger Birnstingl and Nicholas Daniel.
The Society offers a wide range of services as well as providing a forum for the interchange of expertise, knowledge and opinion on all matters relating to double reed instruments.