John began playing at school aged 11 (Brownedge St, Mary's RC High School, Bamber Bridge, Preston) and gardauted with a degree in band musicinaship in 1988 from Salford College of Technology 

He has played in Black Dyke Band since 1999 and previous to that played in Trafford and Wingates Band.
 He was condcutor of Trafford Youth Band  from 1986 - 1988
Conductor of Fanfare Municipale De Porrentruy (Switzerland) 1988 - 1990
Peripatetic Tutor Ecole De Musique de l'Ensemble De Cuivres d'Ajoie
(Switzerland) 1988 - 1990

He has been part time tutor and involved in recordings made by the following
Youth ensembles.

Failsworth Community Band
Smithills School Senior Brass Band
St. Helens Youth Band

John is currently a teacher of music at Mount St. Joseph's Business and Enterprise
College, Farnworth, Bolton.