News

20 November 2020

John Lyon singers take to the professional concert stage

Seven John Lyon singers have taken to the professional stage to perform in one of the UK’s leading orchestra’s centenary season concerts.

The Pride of Lyon’s chamber choir, made up of John Lyon singers in all years, was invited to sing two pieces for the interval of the London Chamber Orchestra’s November concert, part of the LCO 100 centenary concert season.

The pre-recorded part songs, Liebe and Zum Rundetanz (D.983A/B) both by Franz Schubert, were filmed in the School’s Boyd Campbell Hall and then played out in the interval of the concert which featured American violinist Benjamin Beilman and Principals from the LCO, who played a programme of Bach, Schubert and Farrenc. The concert, and the John Lyon performance, were introduced by virtuoso saxophonist Jess Gillam.

 Watch the Pride of Lyon’s interval performance, as well as the whole concert. Available until Friday 27th November

The Pride’s invitation came as a result of the School’s active participation in LCO’s music outreach programme, Music Junction. The Music Junction project sees the LCO’s professional musicians give masterclasses to John Lyon’s musicians, who in turn pass on their learning to young children from a range of different primary schools.

Supported by John Lyon’s Charity, the project works to bring young people from very different social and economic backgrounds together to promote confidence, nurture self-esteem and encourage participants to develop empathy and respect for themselves and others within the wider community through music making. Since 2018 there have been numerous music-making sessions, as well as a grand concert in which all the children, John Lyon pupils and LCO professionals played together.

Speaking after the concert had been broadcast, John Lyon Director of Music, Mr Huw Jones said: “We are now in our third year working with the LCO and the opportunities this project has given the School’s best young musicians are vast. To be coached by some of the country’s top performers has improved our pupils’ craft and performances, and in turn they have been able to pass on these skills to young children across North West London, many of who will be picking up musical instruments for the first time. To be invited to take part in this concert is a hugely proud moment for the John Lyon Music Department.”


Like many arts organisations, the London Chamber Orchestra has suffered greatly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Donations towards their work, both in performing concerts and their valuable outreach projects, can be made at www.lco.co.uk