WREXHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Ian Jones – clarinet

Ian Jones started his musical career at Acton Park Junior School at the age of 9. His daily practice record book constantly earned him starts, even though Harry Dennis Jones must have known it was a lie! At St David’s School, with encouragement from Colin Fisher, Ian led the school band for four years, and was often seen carrying clarinet, school bag, PE kit and double bass across Acton Park into school.

Whilst he was at St David’s and later Yale, Ian joined Wrexham Orchestra for the first time in 1977 and played principal clarinet for the 1980 and 1981 seasons before leaving for university. During this time Ian was taught by Philip Jones. He was also principal clarinet of the Clwyd Youth Orchestra, North Wales Youth Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra of Wales (although he did his apprenticeship at the bottom end of the clarinet row where all of the strange-shaped instrument cases live!)

Ian studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Leeds University, where he maintained his musical interest playing principal clarinet and conducting both the University Wind Band and the University Symphony Orchestra. After graduating, he embarked on a career as a satellite communication engineer, working initially for British Telecom Research Labs, then Ferranti International. In 1994, he founded his own company, Orbit Research Ltd.

In 1987 Ian formed the Leeds University Danceband, a highly successful ‘Big Band’ which he conducted / directed for over ten years. In the same year he joined the Leeds Symphony Orchestra and was their principal clarinettist for 15 years. He performed several solo concerto works with the orchestra. Whilst in Leeds Ian had lessons from Colin Honour, of the English Northern Philharmonic.

Ian and family moved back to the Wrexham area after many years in Leeds, and he is delighted to be able to play in the Wrexham Orchestra again with brother, Pete (French Horn), Dad, Brian (viola) and wife, Irene (Cor Anglais). Ian is currently a member of the Orchestra Committee responsible for publicity and sponsorship – so feel free to contact him if you would like to sponsor a concert or advertise in our concert programme.

October 2003

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