John was born in 1981 into a musical environment. His father was the organist for a local church at the time. John expressed an interest in music at an early age and started having piano lessons with local pianist Jean Burt. Whilst at primary school he also undertook percussion lessons and very soon John's fascination with drums and a desire to play percussion blossomed!

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John became the musical director of Huddersfield Wind Band in September 2014 after having conducted several other bands in the area prior to this.