Biography

John first started learning cornet in 1991 with Monmouth Town Band in South Wales, and also took up trumpet with the local school and area orchestras and wind bands. Soon after he moved from cornet to flugelhorn, which he also played with Gwent County Youth Brass Band.

After taking a break from playing while at university, in 2002 John first tried out the tenor horn at a quartet competition with members of Cheltenham Silver Band. It soon became apparant that the tenor horn was John's natural instrument and he quickly moved to Tewkesbury Town Band on Solo Horn for a few years until he joined the Championship section Flowers band, based in Gloucester in 2004.

Since joining the Flowers band, John has participated in many high-profile concerts and competitions, the highlight of which was winning the Butlins contest in 2006. During this time he started receiving tuition from Lyndon Baglin, and later Owen Farr, who is John's current tutor.

In 2006, John then moved to Cornwall for 12 months with his work, and during this time he started playing with various brass bands in the area, notably Bodmin Town, Mount Charles and St Austell Town.

Since moving back to South Wales in 2007, John continues to play for various brass bands and ensembles in the area and some of the bands John has worked with recently includes: Tredegar, Parc and Dare, Cwmaman Institute and Lydbrook.

John has recently been confirmed as a Licentiate of Trinity College London, after gaining a distinction in his recital performance. John is currently seeking employment as a peripatetic brass teacher in the S Wales/SW England area.