Lunchtime recital from organist Jonathan Price, played on the New Room’s 1761 chamber organ made by John Snetzler.

Jonathan Price read music at Durham University, where he studied the organ with Richard Lloyd at Durham Cathedral and David Hill at Westminster Cathedral.  He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists in 1986, having won the Limpus Prize, the Durrant Prize, and the Frederick Shinn Prize for the highest marks in performance at the Associateship examinations.   His piano studies with Kate Miller resulted in the Licentiate Diploma of the Guildhall School of Music.

Following a Masters’ Degree in Management Studies, Jonathan went into the world of orchestral management.  He spent three years as Orchestra Supervisor of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester, then joined the National Centre for Orchestral Studies – subsequently The Orchestra for Europe – as Assistant Director.   He became a Freeman of the City of London in 1987, and was made a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors in 1998.   In 2005, Jonathan became Secretary to the City and County of Bristol Branch of the Royal Society of St. George.

Since moving to Bristol in 1990, Jonathan is now busy as an organist, accompanist and piano teacher.   He was appointed in 1998 as Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church in Bristol City, where he trains the choir of men and boys:  since 1994 he has also been Organist to The Cavendish Choir.  For twelve years until 2010, Jonathan was Administrator and Company Secretary of the Bristol Ensemble (formerly the Emerald Ensemble);  he was involved with the Bristol Centre of the Incorporated Society of Musicians also for 12 years, serving as Secretary and as Chairman for 6 years each.   He was President of the Bristol and District Organists’ Association in 2000/01.

For about 10 years, Jonathan took twice-weekly singing assemblies at his local primary school, where he was previously a Governor for seven years; also here, he was Musical Director for eight different Year 6 productions of musical versions of Shakespeare plays.   Other school work includes occasional adjudication for house music festivals, and regular accompaniment for exams.

Jonathan’s playing has featured on a variety of commercial recordings and broadcasts.   He has given many recitals both in this country and in Switzerland, where he worked for a time with Kuhn Organ Builders, Ltd – a company he now represents in the UK.  Given a suitable opportunity and suitable weather, Jonathan enjoys motoring in his Grandfather’s Mark V Jaguar, built in 1949.

Friday 22nd November at 1.30pm. Free concert with retiring collection.