John was born in the country town of Armidale, N.S.W. Australia. At about 10 years of age he was introduced to the electronic organ and had a year of lessons. This was his first experience with music making.
By fate or fortune, he saw what looked like “a tuba” and wanted to play it. Not long after that brief encounter he had a trumpet in his hands and was playing in the Armidale City Junior Band.
Quite an auspicious start to a tuba career. After a few months in the band he asked if he could play “that euphonium”, little realising it was a small Eb tuba… the rest is history!!
The tuba virus had set in and the diagnosis? Terminal.
After moving to Brisbane, QLD John immediately joined the South Brisbane Federal Band. Here he honed his skills, along with school and Conservatorium education, over the next 20 years. While a dedicated band person he also performed with local orchestras, including the Queensland Youth Orchestras and Australian Youth Orchestra. He also helped out other brass bands and performed for one-off brass ensemble gigs.
As a competitor he gained many local, State and National contest solo victories, including a New Zealand National Eb tuba title in 2005. While at the Queensland Conservatorium he won the Yamaha Brass Prize in 1990.
John has also been soloist with various ensembles. The most notable occasion being in November 2003 where he performed the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra.
John’s teachers included Craig Cunningham (retired) of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Steve Rosse of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
As a composer John has written many works for brass instruments and ensembles. Many have been performed at solo and ensemble competitions by John and his friends. In 2006, his piece “Trojan” was selected as the test piece for the Junior Bb Tuba event at the Australian National Band Championships.
His collection of music is being made electronically available at iTubaOnline.com
John is working toward writing and performing more often to introduce the wonderful sound and entertainment value of the tuba to a greater audience.