John Frith was born in Hampshire and studied composition with Richard Hall at Dartington College of Arts. His professional training began at where he . He continued his musical education at the Guildhall School of Music, where he studied horn with Anthony Halstead and composition with Edmund Rubbra, winning the Brass and School Composition Prizes in 1970 and 1971.

​

Having combined professional horn playing with teaching for some years, John has enjoyed writing for the theatre in both the state and private education systems. In 2008 he retired from Worcestershire Youth Music where he had the dual role of brass teacher and Composer in Residence in county schools, developing creative projects with young children. John and his wife Pam now live in Lampeter in Wales.

​

John has written extensively for wind, brass, strings and voices and has published over 70 pieces for various combinations of instruments including large orchestral pieces, some of which have been both professional recorded and broadcast by the BBC.