Jonty Ward is a British bass-baritone, director, and organist based in Yorkshire.
As part of his varied career, Jonty currently sings as Vicar Choral at York Minster having begun his tenure as a scholar in 2018. Jonty is an alumnus of the Genesis Sixteen 2019/20 programme and in 2022 completed two busy years with Ex Cathedra as their bass graduate scholar. Jonty graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in music and subsequently completed his postgraduate studies in Management at the University of York.
Regular appearances with professional ensembles include: Tenebrae Choir; Ex Cathedra; Carice Singers; The Lerion Consort; Ex Corde; The York Consort; The Ebor Singers; Oxford Consort of Voices.
Solo Performances include: St John Passion (Bach) – Liverpool Bach Collective; Messiah (Handel), Nelson Mass (Haydn) – St Hilda’s Festival Chorus; St John Passion (Bach), Coronation Mass (Mozart), Fantasia on Christmas Carols (Vaughan-Williams), Crucifixion (Stainer) – Skipton Choral Society; Mass in G (Beethoven) – Easingwold Singers; Messa Di Gloria (Puccini) – Wetherby Choral Society; Dichterliebe (Schumann) – National Centre for Early Music; Israel in Egypt (Handel) – York Minster; Messiah (Handel) – Ripon Choral.
CD recordings include: The Traveller – Ex Cathedra; Robert Fürstenthal – Borealis Chamber Choir; Apocalypse – Ex Corde; The Edge of The World – Ex Corde; Threads of Gold Volume II – York Minster Choir.
Jonty’s musical career began as a founding Chorister at Radley College before progressing to sing at New College in Oxford, becoming Head Chorister in 2011. Recordings as a soloist include: Mozart Requiem (2011); Exultent Superi (2011); Nelson Mass (2012); Benjamin Britten Sacred Choral Music (2012); Illumina (2012).
St Lawrence Church, York:
Jonty has been Director of Music at St Lawrence Parish Church in the city of York since 2019 where he has been instrumental in reviving the church’s strong tradition of choral music. Jonty played a significant role in supporting the recent organ project within the church, working closely with the church authorities and the international firm of organ builders, Nicholson’s & Co. of Malvern, Worcester. Additionally, he has introduced a Junior Choir to the church’s thriving music community which consists of local children between the ages of 7-12 and is also Concerts and Events Manager for the Church. Broadcasts from both the St Lawrence Choir and the Junior Choir can be found on the media page.
The White Rose Consort:
Jonty directs and manages the White Rose Consort, a professional consort of musicians based in York. The group perform at weddings, funerals and venues including: St Lawrence Parish Church, Markenfield Hall and Castle Howard. Head to the White Rose Consort website for more information.
Jonty Ward 