About the author

Ben Mason studied Music at Oxford University, and Jazz and Rock at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama: he was also a pupil of the great Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim.

He has worked as a brass and piano teacher for Barnet Education Arts Trust (formerly London Borough of Barnet) since 1993. He has been conductor of the Barnet Schools Brass Band, the Da Capo Concert Band and various beginner ensembles, and for many years was a brass sectional tutor for the National Youth Wind Ensemble of Great Britain.

As a composer he has scored commercials for radio and television, and in addition to much educational music he has written extensively for musical theatre.

For more information about Ben Mason, click here.

Stan Riley (1930-2004) studied fine art at Wimbledon School of Art and the Royal College of Art. Initially working in advertising as a copy-writer and commercial artist, he went on to specialise in writing and producing camera-ready, hand-drawn art for audio visual productions. For many years he also taught advertising and film at St. Martins School of Art, Goldsmiths College and elsewhere. In later years he lived in Normandy, France, where his talents as a painter, musician (he was an accomplished guitarist) and teacher found a new use with his involvement in the local community.

Josh Riley studied graphic design at St Martin’s School of Art. From the mid 1980’s he was part of the design team at Island Records, working on typography, logos and illustrative elements for record covers and merchandise (which included creating the famous logo for Run DMC). A subsequent change of employers brought about a broader scope of work, including artwork and packaging for many household brands. His innovative design for an eco-friendly range of structural packaging was featured on national television and won a BBC design award in 1996.

After many years as a freelance graphic designer, Josh recently moved to Spain, where he now focuses on his own illustrative and art projects, and enjoys pursuing his musical interests.