This October, London Mozart Players, in partnership with Croydon Council, will mark the 150th anniversary of Croydon-born composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor with a powerful celebration at Fairfield Halls.

The concert features Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto, performed by acclaimed soloist Braimah Kanneh-Mason, alongside world premieres by Tunde Jegede and Ryan Morgan, the inaugural winner of the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Prize for young composers from under-represented backgrounds.

Adding to the evening’s vibrancy, the Croydon SDA Gospel Choir will perform soul-stirring renditions of African Spiritual-inspired songs, echoing Coleridge-Taylor’s own creative journey of weaving African heritage into Western classical traditions.

This event is a celebration not only of Coleridge-Taylor’s history - navigating the challenges of being a Black composer in a White-dominated society - but also of his enduring influence on Croydon’s cultural identity. His music and legacy continue to resonate, inspiring new generations of musicians and audiences alike.

London Mozart Players are Resident Orchestra at Fairfield Halls, Croydon.

placeholder image — London Mozart Players are Resident Orchestra at Fairfield Halls, Croydon.

Tickets have been made available from just £5, ensuring accessibility for as many people as possible.

Later in the season, the orchestra continues its rich programme with Thomas Allery directing Bach’s St John Passion (8 March 2026), performed from the harpsichord.

Presented by London Mozart Players and Croydon Council, this landmark event invites audiences to immerse themselves in a vibrant celebration of Black identity, music, and legacy in Croydon - through the lens of one of its most remarkable cultural figures.

Tickets for London Mozart Players: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor at 150 on Sunday, October 19 are available now at fairfield.co.uk