WREXHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Peter Jones – French Horn

Peter Jones was brought up in Wrexham and attended Acton Park, St David's and Yale. He took up the Euphonium in 1973 while at St David's School, but switched to the French Horn when an instrument became available. He was initially taught by John Duckett.

He became a member of the school band and orchestra under Colin Fisher and soon joined the Clwyd Youth Orchestra under Roland Morris. Whilst at St David's, he took part in many events including the opening ceremony of Theatr Clwyd, the National Eisteddfod at Wrexham, Radio Wales broadcasts and the St David's School Record which was recorded at the William Aston Hall.

During this time, he joined the Wrexham Orchestra for the first time, during the period when rehearsals took place in Rhosddu school and well remembers almost kicking over Geoff Blore's rehearsal flask of coffee. At one time, the orchestra's ranks were swelled by 4 members of the Jones family simultaneously, namely Peter, father Brian (violin then later viola), brother Ian (clarinet) and brother Mike (violin)

Peter was invited to join the North Wales Youth Orchestra in 1974 and was a member for 6 years. He participated in the exchange with Croydon Schools.

On joining Liverpool university, his engineering studies and membership of the University Air Squadron displaced his musical activities somewhat, but Peter enjoyed the proximity of his final year halls of residence to the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Hall (and adjoining pub!) and took full advantage of student concessions there.

Peter joined the RAF on graduation and became a pilot. He took advantage of his various postings to sample life in other amateur orchestras, including the Leeds Symphony and the St Andrews University Orchestras. He made occasional appearances in the Leeds University Dance band, under the baton of his brother, Ian (clarinet).

He left the RAF in 1997 to become a commercial airline pilot and moved to the Wrexham area again in 1999. Early in 2000, he re-joined the Wrexham Orchestra as 4th horn, later 3rd horn.

Peter now lives in Bangor-on-Dee with his wife Penny and their 2 young boys. He divides his working life between flying Airbus A320s for British Airways and a part-time directorship of the family business. He has been a member of the Orchestra committee for the past year.

June 2003

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