Jonathan Rowsell – Principal Tuba

Jonathan Rowsell joined the SSO in 2016.

He works as a professional tuba player throughout Ontario and has performed with the Trillium Brass Quintet, Hannaford Street Silver Band, London Symphonia, Hamilton Philharmonic, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Esprit Orchestra, London Citadel Band, the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and the Stratford Festival.

In addition to performing, Jonathan teaches brass at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University and at both St. Michael’s College School and Havergal College in Toronto.

He can be heard playing on the soundtrack for the 2019 movie, The Lighthouse, and on such recordings as Journey in Brass with the Hannaford Street Silver Band; Harambee with Dale Sorensen; Views with Reverb Brass; Solo Flight and Psalm of Praise with Canadian Staff Band; This I Know with the London Citadel Band; and a Christmas album by the London Citadel Band and Amabile Choir.

Jonathan was born into a musical family in St. John’s, Newfoundland. “My father, a retired school music teacher, still actively conducts brass bands and writes music”, he says: “My maternal grandfather was also a trained musician, known for teaching, composing, and performing music”.

Jonathan’s first instrument was the cornet. He was seven when he began playing at the Salvation Army Church. “My dad, a trumpet and cornet player, taught me well”, he says.   Jonathan has also taken up the euphonium, bass guitar (“a little”, he says) and piano.

He earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in tuba performance at Memorial University in St. John’s and a Doctor of Music degree in tuba performance at the University of Toronto. He was awarded the title of Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies at Memorial University in recognition of outstanding achievement in a graduate program.

Jonathan’s wife is a primary school music teacher in London, Ontario, while their two children (five and two years of age) are just starting to become involved with music.

Jonathan’s preference as a performer is orchestral music. As a listener, he enjoys “just about anything”.  He complements his music involvements with video games and spending time with his young family.
Open to new students, Jonathan Rowsell can be contacted at jonrowsell87@gmail.com. 

Click here to see the Season 20 Program.