“Jon Malaxetxebarria had control of the score and of the orchestra, as well as the respect of the musicians.
In our opinion he has set the foundation to become an internationally recognized conductor, and we await the success that experience and hard work will bring.”
Jesús Mari Begoña, Berria – Bilbao Symphony Orchestra’s season concert, November 2014
Jon Malaxetxebarria’s conducting career is developing mainly in the United Kingdom and in Spain. In the UK he has conducted a variety of ensembles such as Manchester Camerata, Liverpool Mozart Orchestra, and Nottingham Youth Orchestra. In 2013 he toured Japan with the Derbyshire County Youth Band, and he has been Music Director of Solihull Symphony Orchestra since September 2013.
In Spain he has worked regularly with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, most recently conducting concerts in their main season in November 2014. Other appearances include the Basque Country Symphony Orchestra, Malaga Philharmonic and the Navarra Symphony Orchestra, with whom he conducted a Gala Concert in December 2014 together with the Orfeón Pamplonés.
After completing his studies in French Horn in Chicago with Dale Clevenger, Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jon moved to Manchester in 2010 to study conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). Here he was awarded the Mortimer-Furber Prize in Conducting, and in 2011 he was appointed conductor of the Junior RNCM Brass Ensemble.
Jon was selected by the conductor George Hurst as a participant in his masterclasses both at Canford School of Music and at the Royal Academy of Music, London. He was inspired by Hurst’s interpretations of the classical repertoire and has been greatly influenced by these experiences.
During his time at the RNCM, Jon conducted a wide range of repertoire, including works with the symphony and chamber orchestras, contemporary music groups, wind ensembles and opera scenes. As a keen advocate of new music, Jon performed the world premiere of Simon Dobson’s Trombone Concerto with the RNCM Brass Band, broadcast on BBC Radio 2.
Jon’s studies in Chicago and Manchester were partly funded by the Basque Council’s Department for Culture.
Jon’s recent and forthcoming highlights include a concert in the Zenarruza Sacred Music Festival (Basque Region of Spain) and various concerts with the Solihull Symphony Orchestra.