Joseph
Delaney
About
Who is Joseph?
Joseph Delaney’s love for music began early in life. He started playing the keyboard at the age of six just three days after Christmas performing Christmas carols by ear. He was learning violin under the encouragement of his priest at Holy Family Church in Port Glasgow, where he also played the organ from age eleven. His passion quickly evolved into disciplined study and live performance.
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In 2006, Joseph began violin lessons with a close friend who had taught many children and adults. He later joined The Strathclyde Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Doherty, and upgraded to a professional violin for Barony Hall concerts. His experience there deepened both his technical skill and his commitment to high-quality music tuition.
Today, Joseph teaches violin and piano to a diverse range of students, previously teaching children with autism, mainstream primary pupils, and nursery learners at a music school in Paisley. His work blends music for special needs and therapy with traditional instrumental lessons creating a supportive, joyful space for all learners.
His compositions have also appeared in media projects with SCLD (Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities), The Groove, and Young Scot’s Got Talent. He’s been featured in Learning Disability Today magazine alongside freelance journalist and disability campaigner Michael McEwan.
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As an assistant musical director, Joseph has worked on numerous pantomimes and theatre productions, including Jack and the Beanstalk, Flo-White, Mr. Merlin, and Aganeeza Scrooge, following his debut production Irreparable Dolphins (1999) with Sounds of Progress. His experience as a freelance music tutor and performer continues to grow, spanning piano, guitar, and orchestral work.
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Beyond music, Joseph has studied IT and photography as part of his music degree and enjoys playing the penny whistle, mouth organ, euphonium, and baritone as hobbies. He has also performed as a paid musician in productions with Sounds of Progress and as a member of The Stedfast Silver Band.
Through it all, Joseph’s journey reflects his passion for teaching, performance, and inclusivity offering expert ABRSM exam preparation, online music tutoring, and music therapy for special needs that inspire confidence, connection, and creativity in every student he meets.
Joseph continues his own studies under a new violin teacher, focusing on posture, bowing technique, and proper wrist, jaw, and shoulder positioning. This ongoing dedication to growth allows him to offer tailored lessons for children and adults alike, ensuring that every student receives the same patience and precision that define his own musicianship.
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As a performer, Joseph’s early experiences include serving as the main piano player in Alice in Wonderland at Glenburn School in Greenock and accompanying choirs for school concerts at the Oak Mall. These formative years inspired a lifelong love for musical theatre and live performance. His heroes—Elton John and the late Robert Miles continue to influence his style and approach to composition.
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Over the years, Joseph has performed at many prestigious venues including The Royal Mile, The Hub, Festival Theatre, The Lyceum, and The Fruitmarket in Glasgow. His performance in the production Brave and his grand piano solo at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival at The Boardwalk, Glasgow were both proudly supported by Values into Action Scotland.
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Joseph’s original works and covers have been featured in Stay Up Late Scotland gigs, and he’s contributed to inclusive music projects like The Spotlight Project and Limelight Music, where the band received a Great Scot Award (2005) at The Thistle Hotel, presented by EastEnders actor Laura Brett.
Awards and Recognition
Millennium Volunteers Bass Guitar Certificate
Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills
Autism Awareness
Certificate
Introduction to British Sign Language Certificate
ABRSM Grade 5 Theory of Music
HND in Modern
Musicianship
ABRSM Grade 8 Piano Certificate – Distinction
BA in Applied
Music Degree
James Watt College, Certificate of Further and Higher Education, The Hugh Cox Memorial Award, presented 2003/2004.
More Info About Me
From a young age, I was deeply inspired by sacred music particularly Handel’s Messiah, and the powerful Hallelujah Chorus. That early fascination shaped my lifelong devotion to both music and faith.
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Though I once discerned a calling to the Catholic priesthood, I was instead led down a different path one deeply rooted in service through music. I trained as an organist, studying pedals, organ stops, and French compositions such as Messe pour les Couvents by François Couperin. Under the guidance of organist scholar Tim Larbourn, former assistant organist at Paisley Abbey and accompanist of the Paisley Philharmonic Choir, I honed my craft and went on to play a three-manual organ for the St. Mirin’s Cathedral Choir.
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Today, I serve as both organist and conductor at St. Aidan’s Church in Johnstone, playing every Sunday and at major liturgical celebrations including Easter Triduum and Christmas Masses. I have also performed at numerous weddings and funerals, including a special wedding ceremony in April 2024 at the Glasgow University Chapel.
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My journey has been shared publicly through appearances on BBC Radio Scotland with broadcaster Ricky Ross and on STV Scotland with Courtney Cameron, where I spoke about my time as a workshop tutor with Limelight and my aspiration to become a Primary School Teacher. I also featured on a VIAS podcast, discussing my experiences in theatre, music, and my faith journey, including performances in Bucharest, Romania.
I continue to develop my academic and creative skills, having recently completed Communication 4 and Literature 1 (equivalent to Higher English) through West College Scotland in Clydebank. I was also an accompanist for the Ozanam Club at St. Mirin’s Cathedral Hall, performing for their Easter Bonnet Parade and playing traditional Scottish, country, and pop music.
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My love for sacred and spiritual music runs deep. My composition Obsessions in My Head reflects my devotion to God and Our Lady, inspired by my time in the Legion of Mary and the Charismatic Renewal movement. I’ve played for Marian feast day Masses, Charismatic renewal gatherings, and the Craig Lodge Community in Dalmally near Oban as musical director and keyboardist.
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I have also performed internationally, including at St. James Church in Medjugorje, Bosnia, where I played keyboard with a local music group.
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Faith and music are inseparable in my life. Through sacred hymns, organ performances, and original compositions, I continue to use music as my voice, my ministry, and a way to help others discover theirs.
Musical Career Highlight
Glasgow's Festival
Live piano performance at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival in Glasgow.
Scotland's show
Scottish Opera, I was musical director touring Oban, Mull, Cumbarnauld and Glasgow. School Project, Scottish Opera for all
Major venue performance
Performances in major venues including The Fruitmarket (Glasgow), Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh), Festival Theatre St. Brides Centre (Edinburgh) and The Lyceum
Notable Performance & Collaboration
Performed organ and harmonica on comedian Andy Cameron’s radio show, and featured on Michael Barrymore’s My Kind of People at East Kilbride Ice Rink in 1989. Accompanied by his musical director
Performed in pantomimes at Tron Theatre Glasgow with Limelight Music Band
Played 2nd violin, 8th desk with the Strathclyde Symphony Orchestra
Part of the males voices, Tenor/baritone and for RSNO Royal Scottish National Orchestra, also sung in musical in a production of Heid. Oh! Susanna in a small choir, in front of Forbes Masson. Gordon Dougall. Song, wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
The 25th Anniversary Tour of The Steamie in 2012.I was the musical director, with director Tony Roper. Interviewed on John Mackay's Scotland Tonight cast also performed at The Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy.
Touring Shows – The Arches Glasgow, Lyceum Theatre, Traverse Theatre. Sketchy Numbers Club and Production of Heid by Edinburgh College Acting Students, Director, Scott Johnston and Gordon Dougall Composer.
Musical Director – Scottish Opera Primary School Tour
(Oban, Mull, Cumbernauld, Glasgow)
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Auditioned for the Devol Centre Main Event band in 1997, the band performed at The Congress Centrum Theatre, Hamburg, Germany and toured Romania with Glasgow based Sounds of Progress.
Scottish Opera, I was musical director touring Oban, Mull, Cumbarnauld and Glasgow.
School Project, Scottish Opera for all
BBC Scotland Radio Show Interview with Ricky Ross, singer of Deacon Blue on discerning religious life and faith, while podcasts were on music based questions. Karoake nights in Paisley at The Boar in Cow, The Burgh Bar, Patter Bar, Inn on the Corner, The Tea Tavern Gardens and The Northern Way
Greenock Telegraph Challenge Cup Certificate.
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Port Glasgow Comet Festival, Coronation Park. Played Mick Jagger's electric piano in George Square 1999/2000
Elaine C Smith, The Stand Comedy Club, Glasgow, background pianist
Played piano in Without a Trace about a visually impaired pianist. In the play there is a bear. Award winning musical director, composer and pianist, Hilary Brooks, Tron Theatre, Glasgow.
I played a fanfare on the Trumpet at the passing on of Doctor Dennis Cope, actor Garry Robson in the play he passes over to the next life, in the play physician and hypnotist. Doctor Dennis Cope passed away in 2017
Played Mick Jagger's electric piano in George Square 1999/2000
