MUSICAL
DIRECTOR Jon Penton
Ever-smiling Jon was born and educated in Warwickshire, where he started brass lessons at the age of 8 with the County Music Service, using his father's trumpet. At the age of 16 he was advised to take up the euphonium, as his trumpet tone was capable of stripping paint from walls (a talent that he still posesses). He consequently took up the euphonium and trombone, and attended a specialist music 6th form college. Here he was given the opportunity to play in bands, orchestras, and ensembles around the area. It was also here that Jon gained a life-long love of brass bands (we've nearly knocked that out of him though...).
Post-6th form he won a place to study music for 4 years at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he studied euphonium with Nick Childs, Bob Childs, & James Gourlay, and trombone with Chris Houlding. He decided to transfer to the Birmingham Conservatoire for his 3rd & 4th years, studying with Steven Mead and Reg Reid. Here it was possible to gain more of an insight into brass teaching, with the ability to shadow the brass teachers of the Birmingham Music Service. Having enjoyed this experience, he consequently spent a year following graduation studying for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.
Now a qualified teacher, Jon works for the East Sussex Music Service, teaching brass and directing ensembles in the Hastings area, including our own Battle Youth Brass. I'm sorry, that should have read "The County Music Service's Hastings and Rother Youth Brass", absolutely not affiliated with BTB in any way, shape or form. The band enjoys his policy of rehearsing "challenging" music (ie music that is far too hard for us to play), and is delighted to have him leading the team.