MUSIC FOR THE MASSES
JOHN LUBBOCK talks to Bill Newman
There is a
certain stage in any musician's life where he feels the urge to change the
routine of globe trotting, or presenting the show on radio and television,
for something else. John Lubbock, in charge of the St. John's Orchestra,
Smith Square describes it as 'after 30 years, there is a slight feeling
of "what have you left behind, where have you been?"'
'We have been doing a lot of education work in England, and that's very
nice - working with the children, with the communities. But I have always
had that desire that we should be part of a city's life, not just a contribution
to the musical world. Like a football team - something representative of
the people that they can benefit from.' The City of Oxford, where Lubbock
has lived for years, gave his orchestra a sum of money for a pilot year,
with additional backing from Southern Arts; other amounts raised from various
foundations, trusts and charities. 'For that first year we did community
and education projects, taking part in the Contemporary Music Festival with
4-5 concerts. We retained our name, also our base in London, and we were
presented with an office plus all the machinery to run it, plus much support
in kind, like printing and advertising. Until recently, music here has remained
an orthodox, middle-class pastime. Now we have to spread it, considerably.'
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Copyright © 17 June 2000 Bill Newman,
Edgware, UK
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