We are very pleased to say that Jonathon Cole-Swinard has joined us as our new Musical Director.Jonathon is Head of Music and Chorus Director at Garsington Opera. He studied at Oxford University and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and began his career as Emerging Artist Repetiteur at Scottish Opera. He then joined the music staff at the Staatstheater Nürnberg where he made his conducting debut aged 25. He has since worked on over 80 stage productions and works regularly as a conductor, chorus director, and vocal coach.
Conducting highlights include: The Gondoliers Scottish Opera, Orfeo and Euridice Scottish Opera Young Company and the world premiere of The Happy Princess for Garsington Opera’s Youth Company.
In demand as a chorus director, Jonathon held the Alexander Gibson Choral Conducting Fellowship with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus and spent four years as Chorus Master at Scottish Opera. He is currently Musical Director of Wooburn Singers, founded by Richard Hickox.
Jonathon is particularly passionate about the training of young singers. He spent six years on the faculty of the Georg Solti Accademia di Bel Canto, two years as Artistic Director of the Scottish Opera Young Company, and was Head of Music for the New Generation Festival in Florence. He is currently the Music Director of the Alvarez Young Artists' Programme at Garsington Opera and works regularly as a visiting vocal coach and conductor in the major UK music colleges.
In future, Jonathon will rehearse and conduct Benson Choral Society for our Winter and Spring concerts. In Summer, owing to Jonathon's Garsington commitments, we will perform with a series of guest conductors.
