ABOUT RICHARD
Although, Richard had long cherished the idea of writing fiction, his training was in a different field. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music for five years, graduating with high honours and a recital diploma, and winning the Julian Bream prize. This gave him an excellent grounding for the basis of his second novel, "Order of Merit". In addition, his earlier novel, "The Cryptic Lines" has now entered its second edition and has also been adapted as a stage play by Pete Gallagher. His latest - and fourth novel, "The Virtual Lives Of Godfrey Plunkett", was published in April 2016.
As Richard neared the end of his studies in London, he helped to found the TETRA Guitar Quartet,– an ensemble with which he remained for over thirteen years, giving concerts all over the world and releasing four CDs to great critical acclaim.
In his own right, he has appeared on television and radio many times and his solo performances include playing before Princess Anne at St James'’ Palace.
He has also played for the English National Opera, in addition to acting as coach and musical consultant on a number of plays and musicals in London’s West End.
He composed the incidental music to Chekhov's "Three Sisters", recently seen in London‘s West End, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and subsequently broadcast on BBC4 television, and his music for "Rumplestiltskin" received over 300 performances in its first year alone.
Another of his musical productions, "Kennedy", was three times nominated for the RUTAC Drama Awards. He has also recently completed a five-volume set of pieces for solo classical guitar.
In addition to being in constant demand as a teacher and adjudicator of musical festivals, Richard has also branched out internationally, writing for the Chinese Orchestra of Hong Kong. To date, two commissions have been premiered there: "The Fiery Phoenix" and a concerto for xylophone entitled "The Rise of the Dragon Prince". In 2008, Richard was elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM).
In April 2009, his musical adaptation of "The Brothers Lionheart" opened at London’s Pleasance Theatre, followed by a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival. Future projects include an adaptation of “The Selfish Giant“, by Oscar Wilde, besides a number of other chamber compositions.
Richard's song "Until You're Safely Home" was composed for the Military Wives Choir and has now been performed all over the world, including being featured at the Canadian Military Tattoo.
A native of the Lake District, Richard now lives in a leafy suburb of South London, but still relishes the occasional opportunity to ascend some of the more remote Cumbrian Mountains!
You can find out more about Richard on his official website here.
January 2019
CV:
Royal Academy of Music (1984-89)
Areas of study:
Composition, Classical Guitar and Piano
Composition and Guitar Awards:
Julian Bream Prize winner, 1987
Evan Senior Prize for Composition
Lady Holland Award for the most outstanding student
Examining:
Thirteen years as an external examiner for The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, taking him to many different parts of the world as well as all over the UK.
Performance:
A founder member of the TETRA Guitar Quartet, giving many performances all over the country. Four CDs have been released to great acclaim, the latter two being on the Carlton label. The official launch was made with a concert at the Purcell room on the South Bank, shortly before a concert tour of Dubai, attracting capacity crowds.
Many solo recitals at a variety of venues and Summer Schools.
TV & Radio:
Arena (BBC2),
Motormouth (ITV),
Heno (S4C),
Primetime (HTV),
Morning Worship (ITV),
Newsnight (BBC1),
Barrymore Show (ITV),
Critical Mass (Channel 4),
What’s the Storry? (Channel 4),
Radio 2 (Debbie Thrower Show),
Radio 3 (In Tune),
Classic FM,
GLR,
LBC,
Radio Kent,
Radio Cornwall,
Swansea Sound,
Radio Cumbria,
The Bay Radio,
Lakeland Radio,
Radio Furness.
Film:
The War Zone (Channel 4)
Video/DVD:
The Loner in “Gifted” by pop duo, Janis and Justin.
Guitar training video for ABRSM.
Commercials:
N-power, John Smith’s Bitter, Murphy’s.
Theatre:
Benny Southstreet in “Guys and Dolls”
Filch in “The Beggar’s Opera”
Guitar accompanist for Recreation Theatre Company’s production of Sheridan'’s “The Rivals,” and for the Royal Albert Hall Christmas concert.
Piano accompanist and coach for West End singers from “Les Miserables”, “Cats”, Starlight Express”, “Doctor Doolittle” and “The Lion King.”
English National Opera: Guitarist in productions of "Wozzeck", and "Beatrice & Benedict".
Lounge pianist for two years at The Langham Hilton, Bentley’s of Piccadilly and Quintessence Thameside Restaurant.
TV:
Composed & performed background music for “Arena” (BBC2)
Musical Plays:
“Three Sisters” at the West End's Playhouse theatre, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Eric Sykes, and “Uncle Vanya” at the Vaudeville theatre, both directed by Michael Blakemore OBE. This production has also been broadcast on BBC4.
Composed and performed the incidental music for the audio book "The Collection" by Christine Buxton, on the Fragile Menagerie label.
Musicals:
“The Brothers Lionheart”, at the Pleasance Theatre, London, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2009, “The Christmas Shop”, and “The Lift”, all with Pete Gallagher.
"Kennedy" with John Timperley and David Roylance (premiered at the Jermyn Street Theatre with a subsequent production at the Hampton Hill Playhouse including three nominations for the 2002 RUTAC Drama Awards),
"This Rabbit’s Habit" (Commissioned by Jelly-Beanz Children’s Theatre Co.),
“Arthur” with Barry Dix (premiered at St Dunstan’s College),
“A Musical Term” (with Stephen Deal, co-author of Cliff Richard’s Millenium Prayer),
“The Smell of the Greasepaint”,
“Alice in Wonderland’s Excellent Adventure” with Sarah Culverhouse,
"The Stegosaurus Chorus" (commissioned by Polly Mixtures Children’s Theatre Co.),
“Rumplestiltskin” commissioned by Golden Egg Productions.
Classical:
"The Fiery Phoenix" and "The Rise of the Dragon Prince" for the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.
"Ceremony" and "Towards the Vanishing Point" for the TETRA Guitar Quartet.
"Quest and Quicksilver" for Martin Powell.
"Cantilena Caprice" for Tomas Tulacek
Numerous pieces for solo guitar.
Adjudication:
Kingston-upon-Thames Performing Arts Festival (twice)
The Godalming Music Festival (twice)
The Sutton Schools Music Festival
Northampton Festival of Music and Drama (twice)
Kirklees Guitar Festival
Forest School Music Competition
Devizes Junior Eisteddfod
Teaching:
16 years at St Dunstan’s College, Catford (age range 5-18)
Wallington County Grammar School (age range 11-18)
Harrodian School, in Barnes.
Private teaching for over 25 years with many successful exam entries at all grades.