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News
Next Concert
Concert Calendar

Oxford and Cambridge Musical Club

in association with
University College London Chamber Music Club

President
Sir Neville Marriner CBE

Cambridge Shield

History
Membership

Past Concerts

Objectives of the OCMC

The Oxford and Cambridge Musical Club, which celebrated its centenary in 1999, exists to provide its members with opportunities to perform - either as instrumentalists (including pianists) or as solo or chorus singers. By experience the Club has evolved a form of organisation that enables its members to participate in - and contribute to - an ambitious and interesting concert programme, in settings which range from small-scale informality to full-scale public performances.

Membership

The Club still values its links with the Music Clubs of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, but membership is no longer limited to graduates of those (or other) universities. Enquiries are welcomed, especially from young musicians who it is hoped will continue the fine traditions of the Club. Members of the O&C generally speak highly of it, from both musical and social perspectives.

2011–2012 Season

The calendar for the 2011–2012 season has been updated.

Next Concert

Wednesday 23 May, starting at 7.30 pm: Chamber Concert, organised by Nick Reading.

News and Announcements

Malcolm Turner

We are sorry to report the death of one of our members. Malcolm Turner played the oboe and sang bass. He joined the Club in 1975, and performed regularly until he became ill with Alzheimer's Disease a few years ago. His partner Lucy Gent has let us know that the funeral will be at Golders Green Crematorium on Monday 23 April at 11.30 am. Any member who wishes to attend will be welcome.

May 5th Opera Postponed. New Concert on May 2nd.

Due to the unavailability of a sufficient chorus and upper strings it has regrettably been decided to postpone the performance of Carmen that was to have taken place on Saturday May 5th.

Hinde Street Church has been booked for a rehearsal on Wednesday May 2nd, and we will now use the booking to hold a Chamber Concert, commencing at 7.30pm (to be confirmed). If you would like to take part please contact Michael Crowe or Chris Underhill as soon as possible, and by April 18th latest.

Concert Calendar

Club concerts range from orchestral and chamber music to song and piano recitals. Most are private occasions at which members (both amateur and professional) perform to an audience of other members and their guests. The standard of playing is often very high and the Club is believed to be the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom. 

Most years the Club performs up to 20 concerts, usually on Wednesdays at 8pm or on Saturdays at 5:30 pm.

The Club’s regular venue for most concerts is at University College, London. A more detailed listing for the year, including the full programme for individual past concerts, is available here.

For each year (on the left) we have the full programme of concerts, and the details of individual past programmes. In 2004 we changed the concert year to run from September.

The reports from the Music Committee on the items presented during each year are attached to the calendars for past years. For example, the report for 2008/9 can be read here.

History of the OCMC

Some history and reminiscences

The Club was founded in 1899 by members of the two universities who wished to continue in London the musical activities which they had enjoyed as undergraduates. The Gentlemen’s Club which they formed, with spacious premises in the West End, rapidly acquired a distinguished membership including many of the leading composers and musicians of the day as well as leading figures in public life.

That privileged era ended forever with the second World War. The loss of the Club’s premises in 1940 can in retrospect be seen as a liberation. When concerts began again in 1948 the Club was able to devote all its efforts to what had always been its first objective - the pleasure of making music. Since 1959 the Club’s main concert venue has been at University College, London.

In February 2009 the Club reached the milestone of its 2000th concert, celebrated with a concert of orchestral and choral music. This was held at St Cyprian's Church and included the first performance of a new work by Tony Summers, composed especially for the occasion.

Organisation

The activities of the Club are organised by a number of committees. Click here to access information about the operation and structure of the Club, including AGM minutes.

Making Contact

For further information please consult any member of the Club. Application forms are available from the Membership Secretary.
Members should click here to send a message about any amendments to their contact details (for the Membership Directory). Club members may also request a current copy of the Directory (which will be sent as a PDF file).

Links

The Club values its links with University College London Chamber Music Club.
It also has an association with Pro Corda, the National School for Young Chamber Music Players, and joint concerts are organised. All Pro Corda alumni are encouraged to join OCMC. The latest Pro Corda newsletter can be read here.

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Page last updated: 18 May 2012

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