Birmingham: CJM MUSIC celebrates 30 years with landmark 'Born for This' Anniversary Production

CJM MUSIC will mark its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a landmark performance of Born for This, its acclaimed musical retelling of the Way of the Cross, at Symphony Hall on Wednesday 25 March 2026.

Born out of the music ministry partnership of Jo Boyce and the late Mike Stanley, CJM MUSIC has spent three decades creating music and liturgical resources and offering training and events that serve schools, parishes, and communities across the UK and beyond. While 2025 proved to be a challenging year for the ministry - including the theft of their long-serving ministry van - the coming year brings a moment of thanksgiving, hope, and renewed mission.

At the heart of these celebrations is Born for This, a deeply moving musical reflection on Christ's journey to the Cross. First written in the mid-1990s, the work has been performed hundreds of times in schools, parishes, and cathedrals, and is widely regarded as one of the most significant fruits of CJM MUSIC's ministry.

To mark the 30th anniversary, this special Symphony Hall production brings together six Catholic secondary schools from Birmingham and Solihull, performing alongside a legacy cast of experienced narrators and musicians. The result promises to be a powerful, intergenerational celebration of faith, music, and story-telling in one of the UK's most prestigious concert venues.

The lead partner school for the project is St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School (Kings Norton, Birmingham).

Chris Martin, Head Teacher of St Thomas Aquinas, said: "Born for This is a remarkable work that speaks deeply to young people. It gives them a voice, invites them into the story of the Cross, and allows them to encounter faith through music in a powerful and memorable way. It's been part of the Lent programme within our school for many years. Being part of this 30th anniversary production is a real privilege for our students and a wonderful example of how Catholic schools can work together in mission."

Jo Boyce added: "When I wrote these songs for Born for This all those years ago in my room at Soli House Youth Retreat Centre, I never really imagined the enduring impact they would have. This anniversary production is both an act of thanksgiving and an expression of hope - especially as we look to the future of our ministry with trust in God's providence."

With limited seating available, audiences are encouraged to book early, as demand is expected to be high. Tickets are on sale now via the Symphony Hall Box Office: https://bmusic.co.uk/events/born-for-this

Be Part of the BFT30 Legacy

Recognising that not everyone will be able to travel to Birmingham, CJM MUSIC is also inviting schools, parishes, and choirs across the country to take part in the BFT30 Legacy by staging their own presentations of Born for This during Lent 2026.

To support this, CJM MUSIC has released a set of Born for This 30th Anniversary Packs - discounted digital resource bundles designed to equip groups with everything they need to plan and present the work locally. These packs are available until Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026, offering a 30% saving compared to purchasing resources individually.

Groups who register their local performance dates will be featured as part of a nationwide celebration of the Born for This legacy throughout the anniversary year.

LINKS

Anniversary Packs & resources: https://cjmmusic.com/bornforthis
Ticket bookings: https://bmusic.co.uk/events/born-for-this
CJMMUSIC: www.cjmmusic.com