Jon Payne is a versatile choir trainer/director, accompanist, organ recitalist, and jazz pianist. He is at home in a variety of genres: whether playing continuo for Armonico Consort in London's Cadogan Hall, directing 600 children in Birmingham's Symphony Hall, or playing the cathedral organ for a Jethro Tull concert!
In December 2017, he directed Bradford Cathedral Choir in a carol service for broadcast on Premier Christian Radio. He co-directed a performance involving 1,200 children at the Royal Albert Hall in 2014. He has led music for the RSCM International Summer School at York Minster in 2013, and was part of the directing team for the inaugural courses of the Norfolk and Essex Youth Choirs. He has undertaken development work for the National Foundation for Youth Music, Making Music, Worcestershire Singworks, the British Federation of Young Choirs, Armonico Consort, and many other organisations. He was Chief Executive of Throckmorton Estates, planning and delivering the successful Throckmorton Literary Festivals; was Assistant Director and Project Manager for Birmingham Youth Music Action Zone; and worked as Event Logistics Manager for the RNLI.
On returning to Norfolk, he worked as Acting Director of Music at St Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich. He now works for HM Coastguard, with music as his main hobby outside work.
