On Wednesday 26 March, 7pm, JAM celebrates its 25th anniversary at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London for a joyous evening of British music.
Recognising how difficult it was for emerging UK composers to have their music commissioned and heard, JAM launched in 2000 to nurture, promote and enable new classical music. Since its inception JAM has annually commissioned inspirational British composers and run a Call for Music to support the next generation. A combination of works from these Calls and commissions have opened its season since 2002.
The programme for the 26th March will take our audience on a captivating journey from JAM’s first ever commission, Timothy Jackson’s No Answer capturing fear and oppression of captivity, to the world premiere of our latest, by Joseph Phibbs Seven Songs of Nature setting seven short choral songs responding to the natural world, from mystical to playful and earthy.
Also included is our most recognised commission, Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal by Paul Mealor, which became Ubi Caritas and was broadcast worldwide for the wedding of the now Prince and Princes of Wales. The programme will feature music submitted to JAM’s annual Call for Music.
The outstanding programme will be performed by Onyx Brass, The Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, Simon Hogan (organ) and conducted by Sarah MacDonald.
Many commissioned and submitted composers from across the years will join us at St Bride’s for JAM@25. The evening will be a real celebration of inspirational music, emerging and established talent.
Further Information about the first 25 years of JAM
JAM has commissioned some of the most important composers in the UK, influencing the classical music repertoire nationally and around the world. JAM has commissioned captivating works from the likes of Judith Bingham, Jonathan Dove, Thea Musgrave, Gabriel Jackson, Hannah Kendall, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Paul Mealor. Its commissions have won awards, enjoyed broadcasts and multiple performances worldwide. JAM has helped over 2,500 early-career composers through commissions and performances, publishing contracts and greater media and general public awareness.
JAM’s Composers’ Resource provides free online videos with valuable tips helping to improve composers’ writing for choir, brass quintet, string quartet and organ. These highly informative videos have been watched worldwide by over 35,000 to date.
Imminently, JAM will announce details of its annual 2-week Composers’ Residency, which takes part during JAM on the Marsh, its vibrant festival every July on the Kent coast. During the residency, composers will receive daily tutoring from internationally renowned composers, culminating in world premieres in the last weekend of the festival. One of the composers will be awarded the President’s Commission for 2026.
“For over 25 years now JAM has been putting on fascinating concerts, has commissioned a substantial body of new work and given countless opportunities to emerging composers through their submissions scheme. Without them, the world would be a much duller place! (Gabriel Jackson)
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“We thrive on organisations like JAM and need you. Thank you and keep doing what you do so well. As an audience member you allow for new music to be presented in a way for people to discover it without making it elitist.” (Submitted composer)
“JAM has made a huge difference to me. I have come to new classical music late in my life and I just love hearing the variety of compositions, the wonderful voices. Onyx Brass has opened my eyes to the sensitivity of brass. A highlight of this was the exquisite playing of the solo organ piece. (Audience)
EVENT DETAILS
JAM: Music of Our Time
Wednesday 26 March, 7.00pm
St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8AU
The Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge
Onyx Brass | Simon Hogan, organ | Sarah MacDonald, conductor
PROGRAMME:
No Answer (JAM Commission 2002)
Choir, Brass, Organ
Timothy Jackson
Brother, Sun, Sister Moon (SATB) – London Premiere
Sarah MacDonald
The Cats Are Crowding Us (SSAA) – World Premiere
Alan Bullard
Chrome – brass quintet– London Premiere
Laura Heneghan
In the Timbrels and Dances – organ– World Premiere
Eoghan Desmond
Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal – SATB (JAM Commission 2011)
Paul Mealor
Seven Songs of Nature – world premiere (JAM Commission 2025)
Choir, Brass, Organ
Joseph Phibbs
Tickets: £20 | £15 | under 18s free
Now on sale via www.jamconcert.org or 0800 988 7984
For further information and images, please contact Sarah Armitage:
sarah@jamconcert.org / 07771 782 890
Please see www.jamconcert.org for more details about JAM.
