John Hargreaves

John Hargreaves is a freelance conductor, music director and percussionist based in SE London. He studied conducting with Rob Wiffin, Denise Ham, George Hurst, Peter Stark, and John Landor.

John has conducted the Lewisham Concert Band since 2016. He has also worked with choral societies, local theatre companies, and other bands and orchestras in the SE area. John has directed the National Festival Orchestra many times at the Buxton Opera House and Harrogate Royal Hall, and more recently, worked with the London Mozart Players.

John studied percussion with Graham Johns (RLPO), and still plays regularly. He performs with XBY Concert Band in National and International competitions, including the World Music Contest (2001-2022). As a jazz/big band/rock drummer, John has led bands at 100 club, Brecon Jazz festival, Festival Hall, Fairfield Halls, summer festivals, and the London gig circuit. He is a member of Trans-Siberian March Band and Route 66.

John occasionally composes and orchestrates music. He has yet to publish his opera ‘Il Travesti’, though it has been performed and recorded. This remains on his 80% shelf, along with an unfinished musical, various ideas for making a fortune, and a book on why you should never become a teacher.

John is Director of Music at Woldingham School.