Celebrating John Joubert at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in advance of his 2027 centenary

John Joubert [photo: Graham Boulton]

Next year is the centenary of Birmingham’s pre-eminent composer John Joubert (1927-2019). Born in South Africa, John Joubert wrote over 180 works, ranging from operas and orchestral music to choral works and short carols [his final opera, Jane Eyre received its stage premiere at Grimeborn Festival last year, see my review].  

He made his home in Moseley where he lived for over 50 years and was a much-loved teacher and conductor at University of Birmingham.

As a taster for next year’s centenary celebrations, Jeffrey Skidmore (founder of Ex Cathedra) will conduct RBC Chamber Choir in The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on 29 October 2026 in a programme that mixes Joubert’s music with that of Byrd, Parry and Rachmaninoff.  

Jeffrey Skidmore explains, “The idea for the programme came from a 50th anniversary concert that Ex Cathedra gave in Joubert’s honour in 1987.  Joubert wrote in the programme about the inspiration of his school in South Africa where he was introduced to works by Byrd, Parry and Rachmaninoff.  His own compositions, There is no rose, O Lorde the maker of al thing, and Torches, are now modern-day classics.  We’ll also include the Magnificat he wrote for the cathedral in Cape Town, and that links to the concluding piece South of the Line – which I consider to be his masterpiece – a setting of five of Thomas Hardy’s powerful anti-Boer War poems.”

Full details from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s website.