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Brecon Area Live Music Photos - Barry Hill

Biography

Jonathan (b. 1995) is a musician originally from Bolton, Greater Manchester (UK). Having completed a master's degree in Composition at Bangor University, he now lives in Mid Wales and professionally teaches music online.

Growing up in the industrial Northern town of Bolton, Jonathan's working-class childhood home was surrounded by factories, scrap-yards, car-repair garages, and dilapidated mementos of the Victorian era. However, much like Thomas Cole (a 19th century visual artist from Bolton who moved to the USA), Jonathan takes comfort in the natural aspects of life. He remembers the small park at the end of his street, the river down the hill that once supplied the factories, the wildlife that visit the converted fishing lodge, the overgrown back-paths that bypass housing estates, and the serenity of the expansive reservoirs built to collect drinking-water. It is no surprise that Jonathan now enjoys living in the rural haven of Mid Wales.

Academic & Professional Record

  • University of Aberdeen (2024-present)
    • Scenes + Sessions (2025)
      • Organiser, Orchestration Tutor, Score Supervisor, and Composer of four reference scores (see 'Compositions' page).
    • Scenes + Sessions: From Writing to Recording Film Music 2024
      • Organiser, Orchestration Tutor, Score Supervisor, and Composer.
  • Ysgol Calon Cymru (2023)
    • Sister Act The Musical
      • Conducting, Bass Guitar, and Music Editor/Arranger.
  • BBC National Orchestra of Wales (2021-22)
    • Composition: Wales 2022
      • One of eight finalists from across Wales.
      • Workshops, recordings, and final performance of piece Upper Structures (see 'Compositions' page).
  • Bangor University (2013-16, 2018-20)
    • MMus in 'Composition and Sonic Art', Distinction (2018-20)
      • Final project: The Course of Empire, a 27 minute symphonic progressive-rock album with full score. Inspired by Thomas Cole's artwork of the same name (see 'Compositions' page).
      • Modules: Composition in Context; Composition Project 1; Contemporary Music Practice; Composition Project 2; Part II Submission.
      • Extracurricular activities:
        • Storm FM - radio show host for 'Composed with Intent' (recordings available to stream here).
        • BU Jazz Band - bass guitar.
        • 'Yellowjackets' tribute band with Prof. Pwyll ap Siôn - guitar and keyboards.
        • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - bass guitar.
    • BMus (Hons), First Class (2013-16)
      • Awards:
        • Parry Williams Prize for Outstanding Overall Achievement in Year 3.
        • School of Music Prize for Edition.
        • Silver award for contribution to BU Jazz Band.
        • School of Music Prize for Outstanding Overall Achievement in Year 2.
        • Catherine Evans Memorial Prize.
      • Final projects:
        • Automata, a 26 minute progressive-rock concept album based on a new original narrative (see 'Compositions' page).
        • A synoptic edition of Charles Villiers Stanford's second symphony Elegiac, first movement.
      • Modules:
        • Year 3: Composition; Edition; Fugue; Conducting; Schenkerian Analysis; Recording Techniques.
        • Year 2: Composition; Notation and Editing; Harmony and Counterpoint; Orchestration; Songwriting; Minimalism; Post-Minimalism.
        • Year 1: Study of Music; Harmony and Counterpoint; Composition; Media and Popular Music Cultures; Music Cultures of the World; Practical Music Technology.
      • Extracurricular activities:
        • BU Jazz Band - Musical Director; Equipment Officer; bass guitar.
        • BU Concert Band - Publicity Secretary; bass guitar.
        • 'Salome' (live band) - bass guitar. Listen to a recorded set here.