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The English choral conductor, music reacher and composer, Jonathan Kilhams, began his career in music from a young age when he was a chorister at Chichester Cathedral (1997-2003). From the age of 7 he had a love for music and particularly choral music. This continued at his secondary school, Lancing College (2003-2008), where he gained a choral scholarship to Royal Holloway, University of London (2009-2012), where he obtained his Bachleor of Music degree in Music Perfrmance, Choral Conducting and Composition with Honours (2009-2012). It was here where his love for choral music and community music making flourished. Studying under Rupert Gough meant that he was lucky enough to record several discs on the Hyperion record label, tour around America, China and Europe and perform at some highly prestigious venues across the world. Until his second year at university most of his music making was performing as a bass but this was soon to change when he was awarded, at the time, the highest ever mark given to a choral conducting student. He is continuing his professional development with conductor, Neil Ferris, and is a member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.
Jonathan Kilhams has built a reputation on being one of the most encouraging and supportive choral directors for both amateur and professional groups. He served as Artistic Director and Conductor of Royal Holloway Early Music Ensemble (June 2011-July 2012); Assistant Concert Manager at St. James's Church, Picadilly (March 2013-March 2014); Music Teacher, Singing Teacher & Director at St. Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Shepperton (September 2013-February 2015); Singing Teacher at LVS Ascot (September 2014-March 2015); Director of Music at St. Nicholas Church, Shepperton (2011-May 2017); Musical Director of Weybridge Boys Choir (September 2015-September 2017).
Currently, Jonathan Kilhams conducts two adult community choirs in Surrey, Walton Voices (since September 2013) and Weybridge Male Voice Choir (since April 2014). Both choirs Jonathan has conducted for eight years and are known to be two of the happiest choirs in Surrey. His patient and supportive approach has resorted in one choir doubling in size in the first few years he conducted them. Jonathan is also Head of Music at Cleves School in Weybridge, Surrey (since February 2015), where he directs all of the school ensembles, including the handbell group, which have gone on to represent the UK in a national event. He has transformed the music at this school and it has resulted in the school being awarded its Music Mark status for two consecutive years. Outside of his school he was the brainchild behind the Elmbridge School Choirs Festival which is now in its fifth year and sees close to five hundred children singing together. This has become one of the highlights of the year for schools in Elmbridge.
In 2020, when Covid struck the world, Jonathan Kilhams was determined to not let it stop community music making. He quickly established a way of keeping all his groups going and even formed a brand new virtual choir. His supportive approach during a time when people needed it most led to him being shortlisted for a Making Music award which saw him reaching the final three candidates in the whole of the UK.
When Jonathan Kilhams is not conducting or teaching he enjoys playing hockey, being out amongst nature, running and watching cricket. He has also recently become a dad for the first time. |
