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News
Next Concerts
Concert Calendar

Oxford and Cambridge Musical Club

in association with
University College London Chamber Music Club

President
Sir Neville Marriner CBE

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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. There is a temporary waiting list for pianists and solo sopranos. Members of the OCMC generally speak highly of it, from both musical and social perspectives.

2012–2013 Season

Introduction to this season's programme
Concert calendar

Next Concert

Wednesday 29 May:   ‘New Partnerships’ concert organised by Geneviève Usher

News and Announcements

Margaret McSweeney

It is with great sadness that we heard of Margaret's recent death. She was a Club member of long standing, having joined in 1976. She was a professional oboist, having played with the Salzburg Mozarteum, the City of Birmingham and Bournemouth Symphony orchestras and the Northern Sinfonia. Her playing was an inspiration to Club members, and she is remembered among the wind players as a delightful colleague. She is survived by her husband John, a son, a daughter and a granddaughter.

The funeral is in Chichester on Friday 24 May at 4.15.

Concert Calendar

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

Most years the Club performs about 20 concerts, usually on Wednesdays at 7:30 or 8pm and on Saturdays at 5:30 pm.

The Club's regular venue for most concerts is at University College, London. In recent years concerts have also been held at Hinde Street Methodist Church.

The annual programmes and details of past concerts can be accessed from the links on the left. In 2004 we changed the concert year to run from September.

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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Updated 25 April 2013

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