Adjudicator & AoBBA Member

Richard hails from Aberystwyth, a coastal resort in West Wales. His initial experiences in music were through his primary school but mostly through the guidance of his peripatetic teacher Alan Phillips. During this period he became a member of the county youth orchestras, symphonic wind band and brass bands and this led to participation in both the National Youth Brass Bands of Wales and Great Britain.

Following his move to the University of Huddersfield in 1996 he began tuition with Phillip McCann and participated in the University Brass band, later becoming the principal cornet in his final year. Richard completed his BMus(Hons) degree at the university in 1999 and at the conclusion of his final year he was awarded the Harry Mortimer Scholarship for his performance and contribution to the music department. He continued his academic studies at the University by enrolling on the Master of Arts postgraduate composition course where he was tutored by Patrick Standford and Professor Christopher Fox. He has composed several pieces of music for differing instrumentation, including for international recorder artist Jill Kemp, and had numerous arrangements both performed and published.

In 1996/97 he became a member of the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, initially as a player and for some years as a participant on the band committee. He was part of the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band that completed the hat trick of All England Masters, National Brass Band Championship of Great Britain and European Championships in 1998 and went on to win numerous other contests.