Jonathan Melling
Jonathan Melling was born in Wigan, Lancashire. After holding church appointments in the area he eventually studied in London with Gordon Phillips, during which time he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. Whilst still a student Jonathan was director of music at the Church of the Annunciation, Marble Arch and afterwards at St. Michael's, Barnes. Subsequently he became assistant organist of Wimborne Minster in Dorset.
At the invitation of the then director, Dr. W. S. Lloyd Webber, Jonathan served on the professorial staff of the London College of Music where he taught a range of theoretical work and became an examiner. In due course he took on administrative work there as registrar of the Saturday Junior Music School and director of Part-Time Studies. Later he was responsible for the teaching of organ at the College.
Jonathan has given recitals in many churches throughout England and in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. Internationally, he has performed in Germany, Belgium, Singapore and the USA. In the Summer of 2008 he undertook a tour of North America playing recitals in Boston, Reno (Nevada) and San Mateo near San Francisco. More recently he has performed at the cathedral in Ieper (Belgium) and St. Michael’s, Croydon and at Wesley’s Chapel and St. Michael’s, Cornhill in London.
For thirty years (from 1991 to 2021), Jonathan was organist and director of music at the church of All Hallows by the Tower in the City of London where, in addition to the weekly Sunday Eucharist, he was responsible for the music at many weddings and at livery company and commemorative services. He has also given almost 700 Thursday lunchtime organ recitals at the church.