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Discover the music that Jane Austen played and loved.

The Jane Austen Playlist, founded in 2019, is a historical music project featuring the music of the Austen family in digitized notations, companion recordings, and dramatically narrated performances.

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It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an accomplished woman in possession of a musical skill must be in want of an instrument. This was no less true for Jane than it was for her varied and colorful characters. In addition to Jane’s passion for writing, she also loved music. Accomplishment in music by young ladies in Jane’s time is discussed in the Netherfield drawing room, displayed in the Cole’s music room, and delighted in at Sir John Middleton’s gatherings. All of Jane’s writing, including her letters, give expression to the role music played in her life. 

Containing over 600 songs and pieces for various instruments, this collection of volumes comprises printed and handwritten works curated over time by the female members of the Austen family, several in Jane Austen’s own hand.

“Aunt Jane began her day with music—for which I conclude she had a natural taste; as she thus kept it up—tho’ she had no one to teach; was never induced (as I have heard) to play in company; and none of her family cared much for it. I suppose, that she might not trouble them, she chose her practising time before breakfast—when she could have the room to herself—She practised regularly every morning—She played very pretty tunes, I thought—and I liked to stand by her and listen to them…Much that she played from was manuscript, copied out by herself—and so neatly and correctly, that it was as easy to read as print—”

 

Caroline Austen, 1867

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Performances

LOVE AND MUSIC

 

experience a delightful glimpse into Austen’s six published novels with music from her family’s music collection in a dramatized performance set in Regency England​

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

 

 experience Austen’s beloved novel through a musical retelling drawn from songs and pieces in her family’s music collection

Watch the trailer of Love and Music

Upcoming Performances

Upcoming & Past Appearances

Upcoming Events

  • SENSE AND SENSIBILITY // Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, CO, 29 October -1 November 2025

  • LOVE & MUSIC // Ware Center for the Arts, Millersville, PA, 13 February 2026

  • LOVE & MUSIC // Grunin Center for the Arts, Toms River, NJ, 14 February 2026

  • LOVE & MUSIC // Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh, PA, 15 February 2026

 

Past Events

  • THE JANE AUSTEN SONGBOOK: AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW // Blackie House Library and Museum, Edinburgh, UK

  • LIVE MUSIC FROM THE AUSTEN MUSIC BOOKS // Harewood House, Harewood, UK

  • A DAY OF AUSTEN'S MUSIC // Chawton House, Chawton, UK

  • REMEMBERING JANE AUSTEN // 8 College Street, Winchester, UK

  • JANE AUSTEN: SONGS OF THE SEA // St. Thomas Church, Charlton, UK​

  • DRESS UP DAY // Jane Austen's House, Chawton, UK

  • SENSE & SENSIBILITY IN SONG // Jane Austen Summer Program 2025 in New Bern, NC

  • FROM AIR TO ARRANGEMENTS: THE EVOLUTION OF KEYBOARD MUSIC IN AUSTEN'S ERA // Jane Austen & Co Virtual Event

  • WHY JANE AUSTEN MATTERS //  The Chancellor's Lecture Series 2025 at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, CO

  • HOLIDAY CONCERT // Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Virtual Event

  • DRAMA IN WORDS AND MUSIC: JANE AUSTEN SINGS // Jane Austen Society of North America 2024 Annual General Meeting with Gillian Dooley in Cleveland, OH

  • PRIDE & PREJUDICE, world premiere // Jane Austen Society of North America 2023 Annual General Meeting in Denver, CO

  • JANE AUSTEN’S FOUR LAST SONGS // Jane Austen Society Hampshire Branch 2023 Event with Gillian Dooley in Chawton, Hampshire

  • LOVE & MUSIC  // Lakewood Cultural Center in Lakewood, CO; The Trust Performing Arts Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; York College of Pennsylvania in York, Pennsylvania

  • REIMAGINE RESIDENCY // Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire

Publications

Publications & Other Media

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