The ensemble, led by John MacDomnic, was formed in 1986 as a brass quintet. Its original members were all students at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, situated next to the Barbican Centre in London. Since then it has performed recitals, educational workshops, tours and functions, both here and abroad, for TV and radio. All the players in the ensemble are freelance musicians who work in London in a wide variety of musical idioms: symphonic, opera, ballet, contemporary, chamber, shows, jazz, brass bands and early music groups. It is this that makes Barbican Brass such a lively and versatile ensemble. The Barbican Brass Ensemble is proud to have played for the Cancer Research UK's Christmas Concerts at St Paul's Cathedral 1996 - 2010, all of which were broadcast on Classic FM.