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Musical experience
Robert was born and
educated in Doncaster. At 18 he went on to study Oboe at the Royal College
of Music with Sidney Sutcliffe. During his student days, he was Principal
Oboe with the British Youth Symphony Orchestra. On completion of his 4
years at the Royal College he, initially, went on to pursue a freelance
career. This involved work with the Royal Ballet Touring Company, the
International Orchestra of the Cyprus Music Workshop, one year as
Sub-Principal Oboe with the National Symphony Orchestra of Iceland and
oboist with the Arradon Ensemble, a chamber group directed by Brian
Ferneyhough, specializing in 20th Century repertoire.
He then decided to
diversify turning his attention more towards composition as well as taking
a one-year course in instrumental teaching at Bretton Hall College. This
led to a post in the Instrumental Teaching Service in Berkshire. Since
that time he has continued to be active in all aspect of music, notably as
oboist with Collage Chamber Ensemble (Flute, Oboe, ‘Cello & Harpsichord)
with whom he performed and broadcast regularly throughout the UK and
Europe. It was with Collage that his composition was given a platform as
he wrote many pieces for the group. Collage had a wide and varied
repertoire ranging from Baroque Trio Sonatas to the avant-garde. In
addition to Robert’s work, Collage commissioned pieces from composers such
as Robert Saxton, Anthony Powers, Jonathan Lloyd and Jonty Harrison.
As a composer Robert
has received many commissions for a whole range of pieces, from children’s
musicals to full symphonic works. His works have been performed in such
venues as the Royal Albert Hall, the Purcell Room, St. John’s Smith
Square, the Festival Hall and the Fairfield Halls as well as having been
broadcast both in this country and abroad. As a member of the British
Academy of Composers and Songwriters, he has served as a juror for the
British Composer Awards on three occasions.
As a teacher he has
held senior positions in Berkshire (Assistant Director, South Berkshire
Music Centre), East Sussex (Director, Crowborough Area Music Centre) and
West Sussex (Head, Crawley Area Music Centre).
Personal life and Church
experience
Robert was raised in
a Christian family and attended the local Methodist Church in his home
town of Doncaster. As his early musical career kept him moving around, he
attended worship whenever and wherever he was able. Once settled he became
a Steward in his local church and was very much involved in the life of
that church. He has also provided new music for worship on a regular basis
since that time.
He married relatively
late in life, at the age of 40, to Sarah. He now has a family of two;
-John (now 18) and Lucy (15). Lucy is disabled, having severe learning
disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder, myclonic epilepsy and
challenging behaviour. The problems with Lucy have made life very
difficult at times but have had the effect of pulling the family very
closely together. It was when the problems with Lucy began to resolve
themselves to some degree that Robert received the call to preach. He has
now been preaching for about 7 years and is a fully recognized Methodist
Local Preacher.
These days Robert
divides his time between, playing, composing, song-writing and his church
work.
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