One of the finest cornet players of his generation, Richard began playing the cornet at the age of 9 years old. Throughout his early playing years he became a recipient of numerous awards such as the Harry Mortimer Brass Student of the Year, the Professor Charles Leggett Cornet Prize and he became the British Open Junior Solo Champion in successive years.
It was in 1996, whilst at the age of 19 that Richard became principal cornet of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, a position he held for 10 years. During his time at Grimethorpe Richard gained a BA (Hons) in Band Studies and an LRSM in Bandmastership. He was also awarded the Soloist Prize at the Brass in Concert Championships on no less than 3 occasions.
His debut solo CD "The Debutante" was released in 1999, and his second CD “Blaze” was released in 2005. Blaze received world-wide acclaim and it was awarded the British Bandsman and 4barsrest Solo CD of the Year.
As a performer Richard has travelled to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, America and several European countries. He has performed solos in some of the world’s finest concert venues such as Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall.
Richard is a regular tutor with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, Yorkshire Youth Brass Band and the International Brass Band Summer School. He is also a cornet tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire.
2006 saw Richards conducting debut with the Mount Charles Youth Band from Cornwall. Under his direction the band won both the National Youth Community Championships and the British Open Youth Championships
At the beginning of 2007 the instrument manufacturer Schreiber & Keilwerth developed the York brand of brass instruments. Richard is a York Performing Artist and Consultant, and assisted in developing the Eminence and the Preference cornet models. The end of the year saw the release of Richard’s third solo CD ‘Eminence’. It was awarded Solo CD of the Year 2007 by the British Bandsman, Brass Band World and 4barsrest.
Richard is currently principal cornet of the world famous Black Dyke Band, a position that is known as the "hottest seat in banding".
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