South London Sinfonia

26/03/2026

Clips from or final rehearsal of the glorious Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem

Catch us performing THIS SATURDAY 7pm

Tickets are £15, link in bio or on the door!

See you there 🎼🎶

22/03/2026

We’re delighted to be joined by two incredible soloists for Brahms German Requiem, our concert with South London Singers. This Saturday 28th March at 7pm. at St John the Evangelist Upper Norwood. Tickets £15 or under 16s free- available here: https://southlondonsingers.org.uk/box-office or on the door.

Introducing our bass baritone- Harrison Gration. Hailed for his “Powerful Bass-Baritone” (Bachtrack) Harrison Chéné-Gration is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music studying with Chris White and Raymond Connell. Harrison performs regularly in both Europe and the United States with a diverse repertoire spanning Monteverdi, Mozart, Wagner, Puccini and Britten. In September of 2026 he will join Royal Academy Opera as a Bass in their ensemble.

He has appeared and is scheduled to appear with, Garsington Opera, Grange Park Opera, The Orchestra of the English National Opera, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the English Consort, Hurn Court Opera, Lucca Opera, The Montefeltro Festival, Gothic Opera, Tundi Wagner Festival, and New Sussex Opera among others.

The wonderful Emma Tring studied Music at Bristol University and GSMD and is now a successful soloist and ensemble singer in the UK and abroad.
As a soloist Emma specialises in contemporary music and has premiered many works by composers including Sir James Macmillan, Michael Finnissy, John Pickard, Gabriel Jackson and Andrew Toovey. Most recently a BIS recording with Martyn Brabbins and BBCNOW of John Pickard’s song cycle Verlaine Songs, which he wrote for Emma.
She has performed as soloist with BBCNOW, BBCSO, BBCSSO, BBCCO, LSO, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, English Sinfonia, Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Orchestra of Opera North and Britten Sinfonia. Find out more here
https://www.emmatring.co.uk/

11/03/2026

Big orchestral and choral vibes coming to South London!
On 28 March, 7pm at St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood, South London Singers are teaming up with South London Sinfonia for a seriously powerful night of music.

The second half goes big: Brahms’ epic German Requiem — emotional, cinematic, with choir and orchestra.
But the first half is all about homegrown talent from our corner of South London.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – Ballade in A minor

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor grew up in Croydon and became one of the most exciting composers in Britain around the turn of the 20th century. Of English and Sierra Leonean heritage, he broke through at a time when that wasn’t easy in British society.

While studying at the Royal College of Music, he wrote his Ballade in A minor — a bold, dramatic orchestral work full of sweeping melodies and energy. It impressed Edward Elgar, who helped bring it to the stage. Coleridge-Taylor would go on to gain international fame, but his story began here in Croydon.

Geoffrey Lawrence – Salt Water Songs

We’re also performing Salt Water Songs by Geoffrey Lawrence, a composer closely connected to the South London music scene and a longtime member of the South London Singers bass section.

He wrote this piece for the choir — a vivid set of sea-inspired songs: Trade Winds, capturing the steady breath of ocean air; A Sea Song, echoing the spirit of a sea shanty; and Cargoes, painting musical pictures of three very different ships.

Geoffrey did so much for music in Croydon, supporting local musicians and the community, and we’re proud to bring his music to life again.

Great orchestra. Fab choir. Local legends.
Come hear what South London can do.
28 March | 7pm
St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood
Bring a friend who thinks classical music isn’t their thing — we might just change their mind!!

Get your TIX here. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/upper-norwood/st-john-the-evangelist-upper-norwood/sls-concert-brahms-german-requiem/e-kqmmgy

26/02/2026

Very excited to announce our concert in collaboration with South London Singers, conducted by Christopher Braime.

Featuring Brahms German Requiem and works by local composers Samuel Coleridge Taylor and Geoffrey Lawrence.

We hope to see you there at 7pm on 28th March at at St John the Evangelist Upper Norwood.

Tickets available now! Link here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/upper-norwood/st-john-the-evangelist-upper-norwood/sls-concert-brahms-german-requiem/2026-03-28/19:00/t-qmjmqdg?fbclid=IwY2xjawQatupleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA3SDV6RFJ4dEhsUTZSWWtNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt9LdiMx82C-1DLu-xlHf_Iv2H1joMxJDQlo_Qd1t5Ut0bzIMVQt5pQMjzYm_aem_9F32MA5T1WGDwEnZF-Y0OA

29/12/2025

If you're a string or brass player, SLS is recruiting. We're a community orchestra- no auditions. This season's music includes Brahms German Requiem, Coleridge Taylor's Ballade in A and Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto. Email [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you 😊

29/11/2025

BTS on concert day!

Catch us playing the rest of Tchaikovsky’s 5th TONIGHT 7pm!

29/11/2025

Brilliant concert tonight but heating at St. Mildred's has broken down, so wrap up warm. Not too cold at mo & it shouldn't drop too much during the evening.

14/11/2025

Our next concert is on 29th November at 7pm and features Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony. Tickets £12 on the door https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/slsinf

Here's a bit of an intro to the symphony.

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony is a journey worth tuning into. Keep an ear out for the repeating “fate” theme that changes character as the piece unfolds—it’s the emotional anchor of the whole work.

You’ll hear one of Tchaikovsky’s most beautiful melodies in the slow movement’s horn solo, played by our 1st horn Jackie, followed by a light, dance-like third movement. By the time the finale arrives, the music pushes from tension and drama toward a powerful, triumphant finish. It’s a symphony full of sweeping emotion and vivid orchestral color—perfect for getting lost in the moment!

Hope you can join us! You'll hear Sibelius Finlandia, Grieg Peer Gynt and our very own Norman Young's Christmas Fantasia!!

Early Tchaikovsky picture below...

07/11/2025

🎶 Composer Q&A: Spotlight on Christmas Fantasia!🎄

The next South London Sinfonia concert is 29th Nov at 7pm at St Mildred's Addiscombe featuring Sibelius Finlandia, Grieg Peer Gynt, Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony and the Christmas Fantasia by our very own resident composer and clarinettist Norman Young. Tickets available here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/slsinf

Ahead of the concert, we caught up with Norman…

Q: What can audiences expect from Christmas Fantasia?
A festive whirlwind! I wanted to capture the full spectrum of Christmas music—from sacred carols to film scores. In the end, I wove together 21 tunes (some sneakier than others). It took far longer than I had expected, but was a joy to create. I hope it’s just as fun to play and hear!

Q: When did you start composing?
In my teens. At university I arranged Manuel de Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance for wind octet… then paused for 40 years! After retiring, I picked it up again. SLS was smaller then, and I began writing music tailored to the players we had. I was thrilled when they performed Dreaming, Croydonia, and The Dawn of Spring.

Q: What inspires you?
A brilliant live concert is all it takes!

Q: Any advice for aspiring composers?
Keep going—your audience is out there. Share your music widely, especially performed versions. Social media groups are great for connecting and learning.

Join us on the 29th Nov!

21/10/2025

We're delighted to congratulate Chrissy MK on her appointment as CEO at London Mozart Players! Chrissy has played violin with South London Sinfonia for many years. We know Chrissy is a great supporter of LMP's community outreach and its intention to break the 'fourth wall' between audience and players. We look forward to opportunities to collaborate on local projects. Go Chrissy!

Chrissy Kinsella joins LMP as Chief Executive in January 2026