Richard moved to Shropshire in 2005, after a career spent largely in teaching, which ended with 20 years as Director of Music of Harrow School.
His involvement in music-making in the Strettons includes being one of the organists at Little Stretton Church, a former Music Director of the Arts Festival, organiser of the Saturday morning concerts, and also a presenter of talks on classical music. He is Assistant Director of Music at St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury, where he accompanies most of the major services and organises the weekly lunch-hour concerts. He also accompanies services regularly at Ludlow Parish Church. As a recitalist, he has performed the complete works of J S Bach six times, and has given recitals in many of the UK’s most prestigious churches and cathedrals, and in Germany and the USA.
Richard studied organ with David Willcocks, gaining both ARCO and FRCO diplomas before his 20th birthday, both with prizes. He was Assistant Organist at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral Edinburgh and subsequently Organist at St John’s, Princes Street, Edinburgh before moving back to England in 1980. In addition to the organ, Richard plays piano chamber music and duets, and double bass in the Shrewsbury and Ludlow Orchestras.
