Rate My Professor Derek Jones

Derek Jones serves as Senior Lecturer in Music (Performance, Flute) and Head of Woodwind at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, within the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music at the University of Melbourne. He coordinates performance-focused subjects such as Performance 6 and Music Performance 5, guiding students in building concert repertory across major style periods and developing technical proficiency. Additionally, he acts as the woodwind contact for symphonic ensembles, including Symphonic Ensembles 1 through 6, fostering ensemble skills through rehearsals and performances with the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and other groups.

Derek Jones has built an extensive performing career across Australia, Europe, the USA, and Asia, featuring solo appearances with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, and Sydney Symphony Orchestra, including at Carnegie Hall, New York. He has occupied principal flute roles with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria. His international tours include recitals in Manchester, Dublin, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Italy, London, and Canada in 2016, alongside live ABC Radio solos and ABC Classic FM recordings. Key releases include “Sun Down Moon Up” (2008) of his compositions and improvisations; “Flute Perspectives” (2015) and sequels 2, 3, and 4 highlighting Australian contemporary works with pianists Leigh Harrold and Cameron Roberts; “Spirit Wind” of improvisations; plus features on “Peter Sculthorpe” retrospective, “China Wind: the clarinet music of Julian Yu, Volume 1”, and “Victorian Time Machine”. Jones has conducted guest teaching at the Paris Conservatoire, Geneva Conservatoire, Graz Universitat, Trento Conservatorio, Royal College of Music London, Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Irish Academy of Music Dublin, Boston University, University of British Columbia, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Jeju Island Festival Korea, and Taiwan Flute School. At Melbourne, he performs in events like the Wind Festival, Mahler Symphony No. 2, and MYRIAD premieres.