John was born in Shrewsbury and received his early musical training as a chorister at Hereford Cathedral where he was also taught the organ by Dr Roy Massey. On leaving school, he was appointed organist of St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem with its magnificent Reiger organ. Following this, he continued his training at Cardiff and London universities.

He moved to Sherborne in 1987 as Assistant Organist of Sherborne Abbey and was appointed Organist and Choirmaster in 1999, a post he held until 2002. At the same time, John worked at Sherborne School and ran the well-known Chapel Choir with whom he toured widely including singing in St. Mark's, Venice and St. Peter's, Rome.

John is well-known in the South West as an accompanist, conductor and recitalist especially for trumpet and organ with David Shead and whose latest CD is 'Trumpet and Organ Music from Sherborne Abbey'.

He was appointed Musical Director of the Cathedral Singers of Christ Church, Oxford in September 2003, and is currently Director of Music at Queen Anne's School, Caversham.