John Ryan

John began playing the horn with Pádraig Diggin and the Rathfarnham Concert Band in Dublin. He graduated from London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama in 2001, where he studied with Jeff Bryant and Richard Bissill. He was appointed Co-Principal Horn with the London Symphony Orchestra in the same year.

John has played as Guest Principal with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and was appointed Principal Horn of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2009.

As a soloist John has performed both of Strauss’s horn concertos, the Mozart concertos, and Britten’s Serenade for tenor, horn and strings. He has recorded Mozart’s Second Horn Concerto on the Lyric label with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

His TV appearances include ‘The Late Late Show’ and ‘The Mozart Sessions’ on RTÉ, the Irish national broadcaster. As a chamber musician John has appeared as featured artist at festivals in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA. He also enjoys playing in big bands and has appeared with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra at Ronnie Scott’s in London. Other ensembles include London Brass, London Winds, the London Chamber Orchestra and the Vogler Quartet.

In 2000 John had a go at marching and playing at the same time as part of the Olympic Marching Band in Sydney and, while not claiming to be at all useful in a multi-tasking capacity, managed not to trip himself or anyone else up during the opening ceremony.