Stephen J.Pettitt was born in 1945. For 37 years he has headed the music department of The King’s School, Tynemouth. A keen horn player himself, he founded and is Principal Conductor of the New Tyneside Orchestra which has broadcast and toured abroad. Married with three children, he is also the author of Philharmonia Orchestra: A Record of Achievement 1945-1985 and co-author of Philharmonia Orchestra: Complete Discography.