Jonathan Pippen

Jonathan Pippen was given the opportunity to learn the trombone in school at age 7 and immediately found himself immersed in the Gwent Music Support Service and the South Wales Brass Band scene. By age 15 he was principal trombone of the BTM Band and, shortly afterwards, the National Youth Orchestra and Brass Band of Wales.

In 1997 Jonathan won a foundation scholarship to study at the Royal College Music with Arthur Wilson, and in the same year was appointed as principal trombone of the Brighouse and Rastrick Band. He subsequently made a transfer to the Royal Northern College of Music to continue his studies and while in his 3rd year was appointed principal trombone with the Remix Ensemble Casa da Musica, where he remained until 2003. It was here that Jonathan was given his first opportunity to hold the baton.

On returning to the UK to pursue a freelance career Jonathan worked as a guest principal trombone with most UK orchestras including the Hallé, Philharmoina, English National Opera and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He also regularly deputised with Grimethorpe Colliery Band and in 2007 made a fleeting return to Brighouse and Rastrick.

In September 2007 Jonathan joined the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, where he played and conducted until April 2015. Jonathan continued to work as often as he could outside the RAF, deputising with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Opera North, English National Opera and was the Musical Director of the Staines Band. He was also principal trombone of the Desford Colliery Band.

Since re-joining the freelance music scene he has worked with the RPO, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Bergen Philharmonic, The Madness, Steve Hackett, Max Boyce, and on the west end show 'Charlie and the Chocolate factory'. Just before the pandemic, Jonathan was about to embark on a UK tour with The Who as bass trombone with the Heart of England Orchestra.

Jonathan has conducted the English Session Orchestra, library sessions for West One Music and Sony, a tour to Vietnam with the Desford Colliery Band and was assistant Musical Director and 1st trombone/euphonium for the Cameron Macintosh production of Half a Sixpence in London’s West End 2016/17.

As a soloist Jonathan has been featured on the BBC 'Listen to the Band' programme no less than 6 times, was soloist on the 2015 Gavin Higgins and Tredegar Band award-winning album 'Dark Artieies' and had been guest soloist with the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales and at the Lithuanian National Band Championships. Jonathan’s Berio 'Sequenza V' is featured on the Royal Air Force Music album 'Going Solo'.

Jonathan is currently the Musical Director of the Raunds Temprance Band, Professor of trombone at the London College of Music, Head of Trombone Studies for the British Army (London District) and is an examiner for the online music exam board 'MTB'.

He is also resident reviewer for 4barsrest.com where he has a regular feature entitled 'Brass Things' and from July to September 2021 can be seen as assistant conductor and heard playing bass trombone and tuba at the Regent Park Open Air Theatre production of Carousel.