Stephen Jones portrait

Stephen Jones enjoys a rich and varied career as a musician of many talents. He won his first piano competition at the age of seven, and after studying at Trinity College of Music sang in a close harmony quartet which appeared on TV and radio, sang in London’s cathedrals and the Queen’s parish church, St Peter’s Eaton Square, and as a tenor soloist specialised in Renaissance and Baroque repertoire. He has played piano, fortepiano, harpsichord, harmonium and organ in all the major London venues, and has worked for BBC Schools Radio as a scriptwriter, presenter and pianist.

In 1987 he founded City Chamber Choir. The choir’s commitment to new music is reflected in its Composer in Association Scheme which supports composition students from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The choir is also privileged to have Cecilia McDowall as its president and Bob Chilcott as its patron.

Stephen Jones conducting

Stephen  is accompanist and assistant conductor of Goldsmiths Choral Union, a position he has held since 1978.

In 1994 he became Musical Director of Hertfordshire’s Aeolian Singers, with whom in 2018 he conducted a performance of Chilcott’s The Voyage in aid of Age UK’s Campaign to end Loneliness. Amongst the performers were three choirs, one of which was a St Albans based Youth Choir, and young musicians from St Albans School.

He is also Director of Music of his local church and organises a full schedule of concerts and recitals there. In 2017 he re-established the local tradition of an annual performance of Stainer’s The Crucifixion on Good Friday.

Stephen has taught for many years, first as a music specialist in schools, and then as a choral animateur for various organisations including the British Federation of Young Choirs and the BBC Singers Education Department, and now as a singing teacher at St Albans School and St Albans High School for Girls, as well as being a singing teacher for Hertfordshire Music Service.  Stephen continues to be a busy conductor, singer, accompanist, teacher and performer.