JONATHAN PARKIN  (clarinet, clarinet bass, clarinet eflat, basset horn) » 

Biography
Jonathan Parkin is rapidly establishing himself as one of the up-and-coming clarinettists of his generation. Born in 1984 in County Durham, Jonathan studied at the Royal College of Music (RCM), where he graduated with a Masters 'Distinction' in July 2009 and before that with a first class Honours degree.

As an orchestral clarinettist, Jonathan won his first orchestral trial with Northern Sinfonia, as well as a place onto the competitive London Philharmonic Orchestra's 'Foyle Future Firsts' scheme, whilst he was still a student. Since graduating, he has held the position of Co-Principal Clarinet with Southbank Sinfonia (2010) and is currently working regularly with the Philharmonia Orchestra. He has very recently been offered a trial for the position of Co-Principal Clarinet of the orchestra of English National Opera.

As a recital and concerto soloist, Jonathan has played at countless venues in London and around the UK. In February 2011, he was a wind finalist in the Royal Overseas League (ROSL) Annual Music Competition. Other competition successes include: performing in the concert final of the prestigious Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists Competition (TWIYCA) 2008 in which he received 2nd Prize (wind); winning the 2009 RCM Clarinet Prize and reaching the final of the 18th Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Competition. A passionate chamber musician, Jonathan has been a member of various groups with whom he has performed for music societies and in both UK and European music festivals, covering repertoire for clarinet and string quartet, mixed ensemble and wind trio. Highlights have included concerts given with the Cavaleri Quartet (formerly Harpham Quartet), the Pavo Quartet and the Piatti Quartet.

He has performed in such venues as Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Cadogan Hall, St. James's Piccadilly, St. Martin in the Fields, the Sage Gateshead, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Hall and Royal Albert Hall, and he has also played in concerts broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

Orchestral Work
Orchestras: English National Opera Orchestra, London Musical Arts Orchestra (LMA Orchestra), London Sinfonietta, National Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra.

Jonathan's orchestral work also includes

• English National Opera - current trial for Co-Principal Clarinet and Eb Clarinet (offered 2011)
• Philharmonia Orchestra - second clarinet (Tours UK/Europe & London concerts - Autumn 2010-Summer 2011)
• Northern Sinfonia - trial for Principal Clarinet sitting no.2 with obligation to play bass clarinet (January-July 2009, clarinet and bass clarinet)
• English Philharmonic Orchestra - guest principal clarinet (2009 & 2010)
• National Symphony Orchestra - second clarinet (May & Dec 2010)
• Southank Sinfonia - Co-Principal Clarinet (position held Jan-Oct 2010)
• Orpheus Foundation (Orpheus Sinfonia) - principal clarinet, second clarinet, bass clarinet (2006 to present)
• Southern Sinfonia - guest principal (2010)
• Arnold Sinfonia - second clarinet (2008-2010)

John is on the extra list for the BBC Symphony Orchestra (clarinet/bass clarinet).

Training orchestras include:

• London Philharmonic 'Foyle Future Firsts' scheme - clarinettist, 2007-8 season.
• Side-by-side sessions/training with London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra (RCM orchestral pathway course, 2007-8)
• Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Southbank Sinfonia side-by-side concert - second clarinet, Mahler Sym.2, Royal Festival Hall (May 2010)
• Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra - guest principal (2009)
• Royal College of Music (Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, New Perspectives Ensemble) - principal clarinet, second clarinet, E flat clarinet

Education
Jonathan's graduate studies took place at Royal College of Music (BMus Hons 1st class 2003-2007, MMus Distinction 2007-2009)

Prizes and Awards

• Royal Overseas League Annual Music Competition (ROSL) - wind finalist 2011
• TWIYCA (Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists Competition) - 2nd Prize (wind) and concert finalist
• RCM Clarinet Prize - Winner 2009
• 18th Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Competition - Finalist 2007
• RCM Concerto Competition - winner of woodwind section 2008
• MBF Education Award
• Craxton Memorial Trust Scholarship Award
• RCM Wilkins-Mackerras Scholarship
• HR Taylor-Trust Scholarship
• Supported by Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 2007-9

Teachers: Robert Hill, Richard Hosford, Barnaby Robson, George MacDonald

Jonathan joined Morgensterns in February 2011

Jonathan's web profile was last updated 19th May 2012