John Marson, harpist and composer, had his first lesson on the harp when he was 17. During National Service he played in a military band and followed this by entry to the Royal College of Music. On leaving the College in 1959, Marson became principal harp of the London Symphony Orchestra. After leaving the orchestra he freelanced as a harpist for 30 years performing with many of the world’s most eminent musicians such as Stravinsky and Frank Sinatra. In 1982, he was appointed principal harp of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.