On Saturday, 27th March 1999, an OJS reunion was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the choir by by John Brown on 28th April, 1949. Ex OJS members from many decades of the choir met in Darrick Wood School in the afternoon to reminisce about the choir, catch-up on old friendships and examine the photographs on display.
During this time the Bromley Youth Choirs, into which OJS was last year amalgamated, rehearsed for the evening concert. The three BYC choirs performed a selection of pieces from their repertoire under the the direction of Charles Vignoles (chamber choir) and Lasley Cooper (senior and junior choirs - formally OJS) herself an ex-OJS member. The evening was splendidly rounded off by a chorus comprised of all the old OJS members conducted by three previous conductors of the choir, Adrian Boynton, Vivian Brooks and of course, Lesley Cooper. They performed some of the pieces that had been particular favourites of OJS including Mendelssohn's 'Lift Thine Eyes', three songs by Elgar, and 'Still I Love Him' arranged by the choir's first director, Sheila Mossman.
For many of the ex members, the evening was both special and moving, especially as it marked not just fifty years, but the end of OJS as it was. It was especially nice that so many of the choir's former conductors were able to attend, those mentioned above, and also, Sybil Cox (nee Bell) who conducted the choir for nine years after Sheila Mossman, but was unfortunately unable to conduct due to injury. Much credit and thanks must of course go to Sheila Seppings, founder member and previously archivist to the OJS, who must have worked tremendously hard to organise the evening, the wonderful tea and also produce a history of the choir which was on sale at the event.
This photograph appeared in the Kentish Times with the caption:
"A voice for every decade is pictures at the 50th Anniversary concert of the Orpington Junior Singers. From the left are Sheila Seppings (representing the 1950s), Sue Russell (1960s), Jenny Williams (1970s), Laura Davies (1980s) and for the 1990s, nine-year-old Jasmine O'Neil."