A HUDDERSFIELD musician has co-written a book for children about the finest conductor who ever lived.

John Blackshaw was brought up in Holmfirth and has been a trumpet player with the BBC Concert Orchestra for the last 10 years.

He attended Holmfirth High and Huddersfield School of Music before moving to London and along with friend Dan Newell has penned a book called Billy’s Band.

John says he was inspired into music by Barry Russell and Alan Simmons when they were music teachers at Holmfirth High.

“They were truly inspirational,” said John. “I probably wouldn’t be doing what I do now without them.”

His parents, John and Janet Blackshaw, still live in Holmfirth and his brother, Mike, a trumpet player lives in Newquay.

John, 48, lives in Hertfordshire with wife Mandy and their two children, India, 13, and Jasmine, 12.

India is a violinist and Jasmine is a cellist and both are in the National Children’s Orchestra.

John has also played with the Halle, Royal Liverpool, Manchester Camerata, Northern Chamber and Opera North Orchestras.

John said: “It’s based around Billy – the finest conductor who ever lived and his eclectic band mates.

“The book is aimed at three to eight-year-olds and comes with an accompanying CD with musical activities for children and parents to enjoy.

“As well as being fun it covers Key Stage 1 music of the National Curriculum.

“The activities on the CD cover pitch, tempo, dynamics, duration, texture, timbre and improvisation. This gives children, parents and teachers the opportunity to be imaginative and inventive while having lots of musical fun.

“The benefits of learning a musical instrument are significant. It can help with children’s creativity, memory, intelligence, behaviour, self-esteem and compliments the learning of other subjects.”

John added: “It is currently being sold in Waterstones and Foyles, where it’s sold out a few times and is getting a fantastic response from kids, parents and teachers.”

Patrick Bailey, education and community director for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, said: “This combination of story, character and practical, approachable exercises and games will make an ideal part of any budding instrumentalist’s development.”