OSJ’s mission is “to serve our communities by promoting concerts of unrivalled artistic excellence“. Working with the most extraordinary musicians we aim to make the emotion, drama and culture of live classical music available to everyone.
OSJ appears in its chamber music guise at St John the Evangelist, in
Oxford. We are regular invitees to their concert series.
Image: OSJ in rehearsal at SJE.
Our appearances at the annual Music in the Abbey festival in Dorchester are a wonderful opportunity to work with new artists, and a great complement to our regular season concerts at the same venue.
Image: Ellie Edmonds and Sarah Williamson in concert at MITA with OSJ.
OSJ’s mission is “to serve our communities by promoting concerts of unrivalled artistic excellence“. Working with the most extraordinary musicians we aim to make the emotion, drama and culture of live classical music available to everyone.
OSJ’s mission is “to serve our communities by promoting concerts of unrivalled artistic excellence“. Working with the most extraordinary musicians we aim to make the emotion, drama and culture of live classical music available to everyone.
OSJ's work in the community is a core part of our activity - this includes regular
projects with local school Oxford Spires Academy.
Image: Poet Kate Clanchy with students from OSA.
forthcoming concerts
15
December
Handel Messiah at Dorchester Abbey
Handel’s Messiah HWV 86 in an exciting orchestration for wind by John Lubbock
OSJ Voices
Orchestra of St John’s
John Lubbock conductor
31
December
New Year’s Eve Strauss Gala at SJSS
Strauss Gala at St John’s, Smith Square
2pm
Wonderful waltzes and polkas mostly by Johann Strauss Junior, plus well-known songs and arias from Strauss and Lehar. Including final scene, act I of La Boheme
31
December
New Year’s Eve Strauss Gala in Dorchester Abbey
Strauss Gala at Dorchester Abbey
7pm
Wonderful waltzes and polkas mostly by Johann Strauss Junior, plus well-known songs and arias from Strauss and Lehar. Including final scene, act I of La Boheme
January
1st
Season ticket – OSJ Ashmolean Proms 2019
2019 SEASON TICKET FOR ALL EIGHT OSJ ASHMOLEAN PROMS AVAILABLE FOR £80
Tickets available via the BUY TICKETS link below.
When you purchase tickets, please do consider adding a voluntary donation to support our work in the community.
January
18th
‘Displaced Voices’ in Oxford – music and poetry by children and refugees
‘Displaced Voices’ concert at Somerville College, Oxford
January
19th
‘Displaced Voices’ at Kings Place – music and poetry by children and refugees
Engaging with refugees, migrants and asylum seekers through hands on music-making activities while collecting stories and experiences to be set for voice and orchestra and performed by the Orchestra of St John’s. A new collaboration with Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre and Oxford Spires Academy.
February
14th
Music for Valentines Day – OSJ Ashmolean Prom
A concert for Valentines Day with OSJ Ashmolean Voices
February
28th
Sir Vince Cable – My Music at Wigmore Hall
Famous people discuss music that has meant the most to them in their lives, with OSJ playing arrangements of their choice of music live in the concert hall.
March
13th
Afghan Women – traditional Afghan instruments
As part of our Afghan Women’s Orchestra project … a presentation and demonstration of traditional Afghan instruments and music with John Baily and Veronica Doubleday.
March
14th
Afghan Womens Orchestra – two schools concerts
As part of our Afghan Womens Orchestra project, two concerts for schools
March
14th
Afghan Womens orchestra in Oxford – panel discussion at Somerville
Panel discussion exploring Women music education in Afghanistan
March
15th
Afghan Womens Orchestra at Harrow Arts Centre
Afghan Women’s Orchestra at Harrow Arts Centre
March
17th
Afghan Women’s Orchestra in Oxford
Afghan Women’s Orchestra
Musicians from Kabul – side by side with OSJ players
Concert starts at 5pm
March
18th
Afghan Womens Orchestra at Lancaster House
Afghan Women’s Orchestra
Musicians from Kabul – side by side with OSJ players
Admission by invitation only
Event hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth office.
Details to follow.
March
20th
Masterworks for cello and orchestra – OSJ Ashmolean Prom
We are delighted to welcome Margarita Balanas, who joins us for a concert including masterworks for cello and orchestra. She will perform Saint-Saëns’ first cello concerto – a passionate work in A minor which showcases both strength and delicacy in the solo instrument and orchestra. Combine this with Milhaud’s well-known suite for wind ensemble, and beautiful music from that master of lyricism Gabriel Fauré, and you are looking at one fantastically satisfying evening.
March
22nd
Stanley Johnson – My Music at Wigmore Hall
Famous people discuss music that has meant the most to them in their lives, with OSJ playing arrangements of their choice of music live in the concert hall.
April
9th
Baroque masterpieces – OSJ Ashmolean Prom
‘Baroque masterpieces’
Jan Schmolck and Howard Moody violin and harpsichord
April
19th
Stabat Mater at Dorchester Abbey
Schubert Stabat Mater in F minor
Bach cantata 82 ‘Ich habe genug’
Verdi Stabat Mater
April
20th
Bach Schubert and Verdi at SJE Arts
Schubert Stabat Mater in F minor
Bach cantata 82 ‘Ich habe genug’
Verdi Stabat Mater