John is a retired U.S. Army Bandmaster.  He grew up in Pullman, Washington where his early musical studies were on French horn with George (Scotty) Scott, professor of Horn, Organ and Theory at Washington State University.  

 

  After High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army Band program as a French horn player.  After completing his initial service, he settled in Torrance, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, where he attended El Camino College.  During this time, he performed with many area orchestras; including the Burbank, Downey, and Cerritos College Orchestras.  His interest in conducting and composition led him to study privately with Philip Westin, a noted area conductor, composer  and student of both Ingolf Dahl and Roy Harris.  

 

  John returned to the Army and was selected to serve on staff as a Rehearsal Conductor at the US Army Element, Armed Forces School of Music.   After a few years on staff at the School of Music, he completed the Army Bandmaster's course and was appointed a U.S. Army Warrant Officer. 

 

  As an Army Bandmaster, he commanded and conducted Army Bands in the U.S., Korea, and Germany.  He continued his education at Old Dominion University, where he studied composition. 

 

  He and his wife Pat are both retired and currently live in the San Antonio, Texas  area.