‘The Music in my Life’ – New Series

In Spring 2024 we launch a new concert series ‘The Music in my Life’.

Dame Prue Leith (March), Ben Okri (April) and Paul Gambaccini (May) are interviewed by the BBC’s Sue Cook; OSJ play their choice of pieces.  Live at SJE Arts.

Famous people talk about their lives, share their opinions, and discuss the music that has meant the most to them in their lives. Each one has had a prominent career and is happy to express some strong opinions! Hear what they feel passionate about.

Spring and Summer 2024

60 years on we are still enjoying the wonders of making music together, and our Spring 2024 season will be no exception.

From a concert by autistic performers in January, Ravel’s Mother Goose in February and the St Matthew Passion in March, Mahler in April, Schumann in May and Tchaikovsky and Brahms in June, there is a concert for everyone.  We end with Carmina Burana in July – our first-ever Youth Twinning project, a celebration of music and friendship.

There is a wonderful sense of community between the Orchestra, OSJ Voices, our soloists and of course you, the audience. We hope you agree that our Spring 2024 season will inspire and delight, so do book now to secure the best seats.

Free tickets available for NHS workers and for the disabled. Please email admin@osj.org.uk.

Orchestra of St John’s

Did you know that John Lubbock founded the Orchestra of St John’s almost 60 years ago, whilst a student at the Royal Academy of Music?

OSJ has always been engaged at the heart of the community, sharing its music with diverse audiences and exploring new ways of involving minority groups. Our musicians play for children in SEN schools on more than 70 days each year. Christine Cairns, John’s wife, founded the charity Music For Autism in 2000 when their youngest son was diagnosed with autism. Since then the charity has enabled interactive concerts for 130,000 children and their parents, teachers or carers at special schools all over the UK. The two charities ‘OSJ’ and ‘Music for Autism’ formally merged in 2020. Our musicians also visit local hospitals weekly as part of our Serenading programme.

Our Young Performers scheme helps the development of many aspiring professionals and supports performance by talented young musicians from a range of ethnic and social backgrounds.  OSJ also has a rich history of commissioning and performing new works from young composers.