Peter Cynfryn Jones was born and educated in South Wales. He studied music at Cardiff University and then went on to study the violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He joined the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra where his interest in conducting grew, encouraged by the then Assistant Conductor, Simon Rattle. He was appointed conductor of the Glasgow Chamber Orchestra in 1991.

In 1994 Peter made his concert debut as conductor with the BBC SSO and has since conducted the orchestra on numerous occasions, at concerts, studio recordings and for many of the orchestra’s education projects including collaborations with students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has also contributed in the past to courses run by the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. He is currently principal conductor of the Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2016 Peter celebrated 25 years as principal conductor of the GCO. Under his baton the orchestra has performed a vast and varied repertoire including world premieres of works by leading contemporary Scottish composers.