John McDonough graduated with Honours from the London College of Music, winning the Woodwind Prize and the Henry Bromley-Derry Prize for All-round Musicianship. John has played as guest Principal Oboe with the European Union and the Urals State Chamber Orchestras. Performing on Baroque oboe, he has played with The English Concert and VIBE.

Touring with Cosmos Wind Ensemble he performed throughout Europe, Canada, Australia and Russia. John has recorded concerti and chamber works by Maltese composers including Francesco Azzopardi, Charles Camilleri, Joseph Vella, and British composers Robin Milford and Walter Gaze Copper (Nimbus Records). His transcriptions for Wind Quintet are published by Cramer Music, London.

John is the Principal Oboist of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.