Simon Wales

Three years of LSO diversity

A COUPLE of weeks ago American rock musician Bruce Springsteen performed protest songs from his new hit record the Seeger Sessions at LSO St Luke’s.
James Brown also recently performed at the venue and on Friday 10 brass musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra will be performing a free 45-minute concert celebrating their third birthday at the Old Street venue.
It seems that the flexibility to encompass a variety of musical styles has been one of the great successes of the space that was specifically created to house the LSO’s Discovery education programme.
Just a few years ago the 18th-century church was a ruin, a derelict shell with no roof.
But according to Simon Wales, the director of LSO St Luke’s, the LSO started looking for a purpose-built space about a decade ago to house its education programme, previously having had to hire halls and space inside the vastness of the Barbican, the main home of the orchestra.
He said: “Our Discovery education programmes were growing and we had to rent out rooms so we really felt that we needed a worldclass performance space for LSO to show their work and for purpose built accommodation.
“We wanted it near the Barbican and we identified St Luke’s Church. It was a roofless, derelict ruin, but we raised £17 million to rebuild it.
“Outside it looks just like an 18th-century church, but inside it is a brand new arts space.”
He added: “So we wanted to do a third birthday to highlight that we are firmly established here to show that LSO Discovery and its education programme are bedded down and have developed long-term resources with different groups and schools.”
During its time at the church, the LSO has developed extensive contacts with local community groups and schools, creating popular choirs and musical ensembles, including groups using the basement gamelan room.
Simon Wales said: “It is extensively used by schools and community groups and there is a lot of activity with our fusion orchestra.”
As with any birthday party a cake will be cut on Friday following a concert by a 10-piece brass orchestra, all musicians from the LSO, at Friday lunchtime.
And events are being held from 11 in the morning.
Mr Wales added: “We have very ambitious plans for the future, establish new music groups and really progress forward as a concert venue, featuring different genres.
“What makes this place special is that it is a very versatile space. We can go from Beethoven to Bruce Springsteen quickly and we never know what we might do next.”
For more information see www.lso.co.uk/lsost
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