Jonathan Delbridge

Jonathan’s interest in music began at the age of just four when he started piano lessons with his mother. He continued to study under her until he passed his grade 8 exam at the age of fifteen. In December 2004, Jonathan gained the FRSM diploma in piano performing and in July 2005 he also passed the ALCM diploma in jazz piano. More recently, in October 2011 he achieved a distinction in the DipMusTh(ICMA) diploma in music theory. He has a busy career as a freelance soloist, choir director and teacher of piano and organ based in South Somerset. As a pianist, Jonathan performs at venues throughout the UK including the Royal Albert Hall, York Minster, Norwich Cathedral and the Hall for Cornwall. His programmes are entertaining and often include a wide range of music: his own arrangements of jazz standards by Gershwin, Scott Joplin and others; major classical works, such as Liszt's B minor Sonata and Mozart's Piano Concerto in A K488, and his own improvisations. Jonathan likes to interact with the audience, giving background information on the music and often injecting some humour into the concert. From the age of eight, Jonathan can remember hearing Gordon Philips (organist of All-Hallows-By-The-Tower, London and Professor at London College of Music) playing on his Granddad's 4-manual organ which was rescued from a church in Torquay and rebuilt in a purpose built building on the family farm. Being fascinated by the range of sounds and tonal colours that this instrument could achieve, at the age of 12 Jonathan began to teach himself the organ. In July 2007 he gained the LTCL recital diploma with distinction. Jonathan has performed with international concert organist Carlo Curley in a concert for two organs and has also regularly been the organist at Truro Cathedral for the BBC Radio Cornwall Christmas Carol Concerts. Jonathan is in great demand as a accompanist. He regularly performs with professional and amateur soloists and ensembles including international virtuoso trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins, bass Arwel Huw Morgan, clarinettist David White, and the East Cornwall Bach Choir. He also accompanies for the Two Moors Music Festival and for graded and diploma exams.