‘Music at Oxford’s objective is to provide an annual series of classical concerts by world-class artists in Oxford’s iconic venues’. Our mission statement

Music at Oxford has been presenting professionally managed concerts by artists of international standing for over 30 years. Founded in 1983 to fulfil a need for professional music-making in the City of Oxford, the vision of bringing exceptional classical music to the City continues to this day. We use a variety of iconic buildings in the City, chosen specifically to suit each concert.

As an international classical series, we programme a range of music from all periods. In any given season there will be a leading symphony orchestra, and an array of acclaimed soloists, ensembles, choirs, and chamber musicians. We aim to provide a platform for highly talented younger performers, as well as to more established, renowned artists.

Music at Oxford has charitable status, and as such we strive to increase access to live classical music performances across the wider community, by providing affordable tickets and a range of discounts. We provide in the region of 12,000 tickets a year to concert-goers, many of which cost as little as £10 (or £5 for students and under 18s). Every venue in our season has disabled access and we encourage audience members with access needs to contact us directly so that we can ensure their experience is as comfortable as possible.

We encourage and welcome all sections of the community.

We are grateful to all our Friends, Patrons, Sponsors and Trustees for their ongoing support.

Life President: Yvonne Pye

Trustees: Paul Rivers (Chair), Julie Bond, Miles Young

General Manager: Rebecca Dawson

Rebecca Lee is a local Oxfordshire visual artist & event designer.
Please visit her website at http://becksklee.wix.com/rebeccalee

Venue & event design work includes:
'Underneath the Stars' Music Festival Canon Hall Farm, Barnsley 2015
Please visit: http://underthestarsfest.co.uk/ to find out more.

Oxfam's 'Eight Stories High' fundraising gala, Oxford 2013.
Please visit: http://becksklee.wix.com/rebeccalee#!eve...
and http://www.oxfam.org.uk/media-centre/pre... to find out more.

Commercial artwork & illustration work includes:
‘Beauty and the Beast’ marketing artwork, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, 2016
‘Hurricane Boy’ marketing artwork, an Ellen Hvard Production, national tour opening The Egg, Bath, 2015
‘Patterns’ & 'Daylight' album sleeve & promotion artwork, Matthew Carter Music, 2014-2015
'Blazin' Fiddles' Cover art tune books 1&2, Autumn & winter tour marketing artwork, Dotted Line Music Management, 2014

Rebecca's exhibition 'The Streets... have bells on! ran from June 8th - July 8th 2012 at The Mill Arts Centre Gallery, Banbury.
You can also view more of her work at The Bell Inn, Adderbury upon the walls of the pub's music room. For more information on future exhibitions, 'The streets... have bells on' collection or to enquire about commissioning Rebecca for a bespoke piece of artwork for yourself or to promote your latest venture please get in touch.

Singer-Songwriter

A Little bit Folk, A Little bit Country, A Little bit Rock ‘n’ Roll

Influenced and inspired by Folk/Country/Blues/Rock 'n' Roll Artists and songs of the present and past, Chris expresses and shares his feelings, experiences and tales be it autobiographical, true, or a simple metaphor that emotes and connects unashamedly and openly from the heart.
Apart from his work as a solo artist and band 'front man' with ‘The Valentine Vagabonds’ (50s rock ‘n’ roll), past appearances as an actor/singer in theatre and television include being an original cast member of the West End musical Les Miserables (at the Barbican and Palace Theatre - London, Royal Albert Hall and O2 Arena Concerts.
Chris performs solo or with a band.

He is also Artistic Director of 'Song Unite' offering Children and Young People including those with Disabilities, Learning Difficulties and Special Educational Needs an inclusive and creative, quality SONG WRITING experience.
(Also at OxOnArts)

Take three hundred years of music from around the world, turn it upside down, infuse it with humour, energy, passion and pathos – and you have the recipe with which the Oxford Concert Party, described as ‘one of the most entertaining, ground-breaking groups around’ (Oxford Times) delights their audience wherever they go. Be it Vivaldi or Piazzolla, French café music or Argentinian tango, Irish laments or Finnish polkas, this ‘bunch of superb musicians’ (Daily Telegraph) create a rich, colourful, expressive sound, and their vibrant virtuosity, zany and off-beat humour make for an unforgettable performance. The Oxford Concert Party has made CDs, performed in festivals throughout Britain, on radio and TV, and been ‘Pick of the Fringe’ at the Edinburgh Festival.

OCP have made tours to Holland twice, held a three-week residency at Italy’s premiere festival at Spoleto, by personal invitation of the late Gian Carlo Menotti, toured the southern Mediterranean, and played numerous concerts all over England, Ireland and Scotland. OCP has an extensive ongoing programme of community outreach work which includes concerts and projects in prisons, detention centres, primary schools, for elderly groups, people with dementia and children and adults with learning difficulties. OCP have recently undertaken projects in many primary schools in Oxfordshire, and completed work on major participatory music projects for older people in Aylesbury Vale, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire and in prisons nationally.

Trevor Barton lives near central Oxford and has been painting since 2007. He has participated in ArtWeeks and exhibited at Oxford Library, Art Cafe, Magic Cafe and several other locations in the city. He has had success doing commission work but is presently focussing on finding his own style and joy and painting for fun.

The Choir

Commotio was formed in August 1999 to promote neglected contemporary choral repertoire. The choir draws on the musical talents of Oxford residents and students, selecting members by audition. Although mainly a cappella, Commotio has worked with emerging instrumentalists such as Rosie Banks (cellist). The size of the choir moulds to the repertoire but is usually between 24 and 30 singers.

The Conductor

Matthew Berry was Organ Scholar at University College, Oxford in 1995-1999 after which he completed a postgraduate diploma in choral con-ducting at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of Patrick Russill. His special interest lies in finding music unknown to UK audiences such as works by Ambrož Čopi and Jaakko Mäntyjärvi.

The Repertoire

Recent performances have included Eric Whitacre’s When David Heard and the Première of Cowie’s _Four Seasons_ (commissioned jointly for Commotio and the Choir of the 21st Century).
Commotio also promotes and performs the works of a younger generation of composers, most recently Ruth Byrchmore, Tarik O’Regan, Robert Fokkens, John Duggan and Alexander Campkin. Commotio supports the latest generation of composers, showcasing new works by final year students at the Royal Academy of Music.
Commotio’s recent recordings have met critical and public acclaim. _Ubi Caritas_ by Richard Allain (recorded on _Night_ in 2007) was selected by Classic FM for their compilation album, _Smooth Classics: The Ultimate Collection_ and has been on their playlist for over 3 years. Commotio’s CD of music by James Whitbourn, _Luminosity_, released in 2010 reached No. 2 in the Specialist Classical Chart and has been played on radio stations worldwide. Commotio’s latest recording of works by Francis Pott (including the _Mass for 8 voices_, commissioned for the choir) will be released in February 2012, and has already had great reviews.

“as a supreme choral polyphonist Pott can build up an agitated climax with the best of them - but it is those melting moments of repose which are especially telling and memorable...Grace Davidson floats effortlessly above the Oxford-based choir, adding her seraphic poise to their perfect intonation...this is a powerful disc of important music.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2012

Pegasus is an arts centre established in East Oxford since 1962. It specialises in a range of performing arts for young people in collaboration with professional artists and in parallel with the making and presentation of new work by established and emerging artists and companies.

The venue recently underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment to provide new workshop, dressing room, costume store, dance and rehearsal spaces for participatory activities, visiting and resident companies as well as creating a new foyer and cafe for the public.

The main performance area, the Pullman Stage is named after the venue’s major supporter and patron Philip Pullman.

Since re-opening in September 2010, Pegasus is able to offer a wider range of workshops, projects and course places for up to 3500 young people and adults, up to 20 in-house productions and 70-80 visiting productions including commissions each year.

From November 2011 the organisation will be celebrating 50 years of Oxford Youth Theatre at Pegasus with a year-long programme of events and activities. This will start with a short series of music shows from Pegasus supporter Philip Selway and ends with a special production performed by former and current youth theatre members in November 2012.

The Old Fire Station on George Street opened in November 2011 and houses two separate organisations – Arts at the Old Fire Station, (a professional arts centre offering performance and rehearsal spaces, a gallery, artists’ studios, and a shop) and Crisis Skylight Oxford (a centre offering free education, training and support to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless).

Arts at the Old Fire Station believes art is for everyone. Everyone has potential.

What do we do?
The Old Fire Station is a public arts centre
• presenting new work across art forms
• supporting artists
• including people facing tough times

How do we do it?
We do this by focussing on:
• good quality relationships
• encouraging creativity and risk-taking
• offering a public space which is welcoming to all

Essential to delivering our shared mission is the participation of Crisis members (homeless people using Crisis’ services) in our work.

See www.oldfirestation.org.uk for more information

I have been singing professionally for 35 years, and teaching singing for over 30 years, working in many musical styles. I combine a background in professional performance, educational research, and teaching in universities, schools and the performing arts industry.

I train professional singers and singing teachers (as well as musically competent amateurs), and am very experienced in dealing with the psychological aspects of voice development and performance. Lessons include clear explanation of vocal anatomy and function (including vocal acoustics), how to alter the vocal set up for different styles (e.g. opera, music theatre, folk, rock, choral singing etc), and what is healthy for the voice.

On my website - http://www.OxfordSingingLessons.co.uk - you'll find some ideas to get you started straight away on improving your singing voice (free resources, videos, articles and links).

In addition, I am a published songwriter, and I teach songwriting (both music and lyrics) at http://www.OxfordSongwriting.com.

I am an experienced freelance marketing and communications specialist to the arts, leisure and entertainment industries.

Over the past fifteen years I have worked for a number of the UK's most high profile arts organisations including English National Opera, National Theatre, London Philharmonic Orchestra and English National Ballet; as well as UK and international productions of Disney's The Lion Ling, Mamma Mia!, Les Mis and War Horse.

I am based in North Oxfordshire and have local and international clients including Britten in Oxford (a 2013 year-long festival of events celebrating the life of Benjamin Britten) and Europe's largest producer of live theatre, Stage Entertainment.

Services include marketing and communications strategies, content for leaflets and website, social media campaigns, sponsorship, promotions and press.