Ibstock Brick Brass are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Jon Penton as their new Musical Director as of June 2024.
Jon who is originally from Atherstone, North Warwickshire has a phenomenal background in music and in particular brass bands. He started playing at the age of 8 using his dad’s trumpet, progressing on to cornet at secondary school. After passing grade 5 cornet, it was pointed out that his tone could “take the paint off walls” and was advised to try a larger instrument. Jon moved on to euphonium and trombone whilst attending North Warwickshire College studying the double A level music course.
Jon was introduced to brass banding by his tutor at the time, Steve Cooper, which led him to Ibstock Brick Brass Band on euphonium and trombone at the age of 17. Jon has also studied with both Nick and Bob Childs, Howard Snell, Chris Houlding, James Gourlay, Steven Mead, Philip Scott to name but a few. In addition, he has also played under many famous conductors such as; Michael Fowles, James Gourlay, Tim Reynish, Frank Renton, Major Peter Parks, Jim Davis, John Miller, and Nigel Boddice.
Jon attended music college in Manchester and Birmingham, graduating with BMus(hons) 2:1 and gaining a PGCE before moving on to becoming a peripatetic brass teacher for 15 years.
Jons’ playing experience includes Sussex Concert Orchestra, Southern Youth Ballet, Opera South East, Brighton Philharmonic, and was also one of the founding members of the orchestral brass septet, Tower Brass.
As the musical director of Battle Town Band for 11 years, Jon led the band to promotion from fourth to second section and competed in the national finals twice. Currently, Jon is also MD of a Derby based community band and has recently returned to playing an instrument himself and is enjoying being part of the euphonium team at the Brass Band of Central England.
Jon is delighted with his MD appointment and says “I am very pleased to be working with a band that has so much history and pride in their outlook. A strong rapport has already developed, and I look forward to future successes.”