John Blood’s first symphony was broadcast by the BBC, with the composer conducting, whilst he was still a school boy in Nottingham. In 1970 he went on to study composition for four years at the Royal Academy of Music where he won the Eric Coates Prize for composition.

He was involved with the inception in 1979 of the British Music Society which led to the composition and performance of many works for their early concert series.

He has written lots of music for children, including Manton Heights for the inaugural concert of  the Bedford Modern School Wind Band, and later The Christmas Express, as well as incidental music for the Tellastory children’s series.

He has worked for many years as an editor for Novello & Co. Ltd and lives in the East End of London with David, his partner of over thirty years. As well as being a long standing member of the London Gay Symphony Orchestra, he also loves playing the cello in many other groups and orchestras.