Our Story

From the early days of the Brixtonian in Brixton, the Brixtonian -Back-A-yard in Covent Garden to the Havana Club also in Brixton, the owners, Vincent Osborne and the late Jonathan Campbell supported the development of young Black Opera Singers through financial support via their bars and restaurants.

‘The Brixton Open’ art competition for residents of Lambert was also one of their philanthropic giving back to the community.

‘New Voices Old Song’ was the forerunner of the Black British Classical Foundation. Apart from platform performances in the bars of the Brixtonian, ‘New Voices Old Song’ took part in many festivals including The Covent Garden Festival.

New Voices also went on tour to the Caribbean including Barbados, St.Lucia and St.Kitts. By day workshops within schools and by evening, Operatic Concerts playing to full and appreciative audiences.

In recent years the concept was formalised into a charity with a vision to increase the uptake of People of Colour in the classical arts, especially in Opera, Black British Classical Foundation was born.

Currently, we are working in Prisons, developing choirs, using music to develop and enhance soft skills.

Dementia is another of our interests and looking at how the role music can play in being an aid memoir.