I’m Jonathan Jarvis, a conservatoire-trained musician, audio engineer, composer, and educator based in Derby. With over 30 years of experience, I’ve worked across music production, mixing, mastering, live sound, and sound system consultancy—helping artists and ensembles bring their best sound to life. I also enjoy teaching and mentoring: I’ve delivered music technology and media lessons, led workshops on recording and mixing, and supported students from initial project ideas through to final mixes and examinations. Alongside freelance recording and sound engineering work, I’ve taken on leadership roles, served as a Musical Director for productions, and continued professional development as an Edexcel (Pearson) A-level Music Technology examiner.…

Jonathan Jarvis

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I’m Jonathan Jarvis, a conservatoire-trained musician, audio engineer, composer, and educator based in Derby. With over 30 years of experience, I’ve worked across music production, mixing, mastering, live sound, and sound system consultancy—helping artists and ensembles bring their best sound to life. I also enjoy teaching and mentoring: I’ve delivered music technology and media lessons, led workshops on recording and mixing, and supported students from initial project ideas through to final mixes and examinations. Alongside freelance recording and sound engineering work, I’ve taken on leadership roles, served as a Musical Director for productions, and continued professional development as an Edexcel (Pearson) A-level Music Technology examiner.…

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I’m Jonathan Jarvis, a conservatoire-trained musician, audio engineer, composer, and educator based in Derby. With over 30 years of experience, I’ve worked across music production, mixing, mastering, live sound, and sound system consultancy—helping artists and ensembles bring their best sound to life.

I also enjoy teaching and mentoring: I’ve delivered music technology and media lessons, led workshops on recording and mixing, and supported students from initial project ideas through to final mixes and examinations. Alongside freelance recording and sound engineering work, I’ve taken on leadership roles, served as a Musical Director for productions, and continued professional development as an Edexcel (Pearson) A-level Music Technology examiner.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Head of Sixth Form at Saint Benedict School
February 1, 2016 - August 31, 2018
Led the Sixth Form team, overseeing both staff and students. Implemented strategies to improve examination outcomes and provided guidance on examination preparation and next steps. Produced weekly tutor bulletins and led staff meetings, supporting strong purpose and teamwork. Also led music for Sixth Form events and school celebrations.
Teacher of Music, Music Technology and Media at Saint Benedict Catholic Academy, Derby
September 5, 2011 - July 23, 2026
Teaching music and music technology, introducing new music technology and media courses, leading workshops in music technology and composition for other stakeholders in the academy group. Introducing, facilitating and running the school radio. Arranging and composing music for ensembles and concerts. MD for shows. Head of Sixth Form and improved academic results from Alps grade 6 to Alps grade 2 in my tenure.
Teacher of Music, Music Technology, and Media at Saint Benedict School
September 1, 2011 - Present
Developed and delivered a music technology curriculum, guiding students through the full audio production process and mentoring them on a wide range of audio projects. Designed lessons and workshops to strengthen critical listening skills and led adoption of emerging technologies in the classroom. Advised the IT department on music technology facilities, ran the school radio station, and organized and produced recordings of school ensembles and bands. Mentored and trained fellow teachers in music technology and helped enable students to achieve high standards in the subject.
Sound Engineer, Music and Music Technology Consultant at Saint Benedict Catholic Academy, Derby
September 3, 2001 - Present
Designing and operating sound in the academy’s newly equipped theatre. Giving bespoke assistance to music and music technology students with harmony and arranging tasks and recording and mixing projects for their A level coursework. Recording and mixing projects of external clients and partner schools and colleges.
Sound Engineer and Lecturer in Music Technology and Performing Arts at Saint Benedict School
September 1, 2001 - August 31, 2011
Designed and installed sound systems for the school theatre to support school and external events. Provided live sound engineering for performances, giving students hands-on experience in FOH and monitor mixing. Delivered A-level Music Technology courses covering recording, mixing, and production techniques, and ran workshops on microphone placement, signal flow, effects processing, and mastering. Guided students through audio projects from conception to final mix and supported practical and written examination preparation. Served as an Edexcel (Pearson) A-level Music Technology examiner and acted as Musical Director and sound engineer for multiple productions.
Musician, performer, educator, mix and sound engineer, composer and arranger at Self Employed
September 2, 1991 - Present
This aspect of my work involves recording, mixing and mastering projects for clients, performing professionally in a variety of gigs and shows (pop / jazz / funk / rock / theatre / touring shows), providing one to one bass and piano lessons, arranging music for artists, bands and choirs, conducting orchestras and choirs, acting as an MD in shows and live bands and advising on PA installations and tuning.
Self-Employed Musician, Performer, Mix and Sound Engineer, Composer and Arranger, Educator at Self-Employed / Freelance
September 1, 1991 - Present
Engineered, mixed, and mastered recording projects for solo artists through full ensembles. Provided technical consultancy for PA installations and system tuning, and produced and arranged music for artists, bands, and choirs. Delivered private tuition in bass, piano, and music technology, and led workshops and masterclasses in music technology and audio engineering. Supported students progressing into further study and professional audio careers. Acted as Musical Director and sound engineer for regional productions, and produced and mixed local albums and live recordings. Continued professional development as an Edexcel (Pearson) A-level Music Technology examiner.

Education

BA (Hons) in Music at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
September 1, 1987 - July 19, 1991
I studied double bass, bass guitar, piano, composition and arranging. I was fortunate enough to perform with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and work on multiple recording projects with the BBC equipped studio at the Conservatoire. I gained a First Class degree and also Distinctions in Post Graduate Diplomas in Performance and Creative Music Technology.
BA (Hons) Music – First Class at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1995
Post Graduate Diplomas in Performance and Creative Music (Music Technology) – Distinction at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
January 11, 2030 - September 1, 2026

Qualifications

BA Hons in Music, First Class
September 7, 1987 - July 19, 1990
Post Graduate Diplomas in Performance and Creative Music Technology
September 10, 1990 - July 19, 1991
Examiner in Music Technology
April 17, 2006 - August 17, 2012
Assessing and marking candidates’ mixes of tracks and their compositions using music technology
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
September 6, 2010 - July 15, 2011
Qualified to teach music and music technology at all levels in any UK school
Edexcel (Pearson) A-level Music Technology examiner
January 11, 2030 - September 1, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Computers & Electronics, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet
    Mixing and Mastering of a Live YouTube recording of a Michael Jackson Medley

    The client had recorded a live recording of a medley of Michael Jackson songs which required mixing for release on YouTube. Challenges were making each of the 3 vocalists have their own space and dealing with the spill into their mics from the drums and horns. The drums also had challenges and required some use of drum replacement because of the recording environment. The mix needed to sound lively and punchy whilst remaining within ideal loudness levels for YouTube. The video was intended to show a rehearsal vibe, so the video production reflects this, but the sound needed to be as good as it could be from the slightly restricted live recording.

    Where We're Coming From - Band project, mixing and mastering
    music vocal master band This track was from a band EP session. The guitar based band wanted some keyboards adding to their guitar track, so I provided the keys parts and then mixed the project and mastered it for them. They wanted an upfront Artic Monkeys type of vibe.…
    Funky Strut - original music for a commercial style dance
    music instrumental master soundtrack advert This track was created for a dance-based advert styled promotion that the client was creating. Only a small section was used in final product. The brief was for something soul-like but uptempo and funky with no vocals.…
    Depth - original compostion for a contemporary group dance
    music instrumental master soundtrack This track is an atmospheric and minimalist inspired compostion for a group dance performance in a contemporart dance event. The brief was to have repetetive phrases and it had to last for the specified time…
    Total Immersion - Original Music composed for a contempoary dance
    instrumental beat music master This track was composed for a dancer who wanted an immersive style track for a contempoary dance she had devied. The music was originally designed to be played with speakers all around the dance space with sounds panning around to create a feel of being immersed in dance and music. The project took four days to complete including communications and discussions.…
    Big White Room - Vocalist cover version, acoustic
    music vocal master acoustic This track was from an acoustic project of cover songs by performer who was planning to release tracks to her listeners that kept as close as possible to live performances. It was recorded live in one take and then mixed and mastered a week later.…
    Tapestry by The REQS Band - indie band project track
    music master vocal indie pop band Ths project was a collection of 3 tracks which needed to be mixed and mastered for a student band (members of whom have gone onto play in other original material bands on signed labels). There neded to be a live feel and a definite indie vibe but still poppy and upfront to fit the direction the band were aiming for. The project was done on and off over a month.…
    You and I - singer songwriter project
    pop rock singsongwriter originalartist mixing mastering This song arrived with the singer songwriter as lyrics, some chords and a melody line sung into a phone. The artist wanted a bouncy pop feel but with some elemets of a rock edge. The arrangement and recording were done over the period of a week and the mastering done in a 30 minute session a little later.…
    Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day - composition commission for dance (Full Score)
    music vocal master composition dance This piece was commssioned by a dancer who needed an original work to perform to. The text had already been chosen and the dancer was also a classically trained vocalist so she wanted to keep the genre around a classical / contemporary classical area. This influenced the choice of instrumentation and the melodic characteristics. The composition needed to follow the dance and as such has numerous time changes to acheive the desired effect. The whole project was completed within a week - composing, liaising with the client, recording and mixing.…
    Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day - composition commission for dance (Full Audio)
    music vocal master composition dance This piece was commssioned by a dancer who needed an original work to perform to. The text had already been chosen and the dancer was also a classically trained vocalist so she wanted to keep the genre around a classical / contemporary classical area. This influenced the choice of instrumentation and the melodic characteristics. The composition needed to follow the dance and as such has numerous time changes to acheive the desired effect. The whole project was completed within a week - composing, liaising with the client, recording and mixing.…
    Motown Medley for the band Ministry of Soul
    music vocal master recordingengineer soul motown medley arrangement This project was an arrangement created for a band I play bass for called Ministry of Soul. We had noticed that Motown tunes were really popular at events so the decision was made to create a medley to maximise on the time the audience would be dancing. The band has 3 female vocals so the songs were shared between them and it also has a horn section so this was fullly utilized in the arrnagement. The emphasis was on making a medley that flowed naturally and had a musical shape and also that the beat didn't stop!…
    The Gift of Singing - 4 part choral composition
    This project was a commision to write a vocal composition for a local choral gorup around a text that they had created. The brief was to make it chorally "modern" in sound but with traditional 4 part harmonies and a piano accompaniment so that it was suitable to perform at an anniversary concert the choir were planning. Melodies, harmonisations and accompanoment were all composed to fit the provided words.…