Roy trained as a performer at the Royal College of Music and was a major prize winner: the Leslie Alexander - the highest award available on the viola. He was a dual first study viola pupil of Frederick Riddle and piano pupil of Angus Morrison. He holds a complete suite of performing and teaching diplomas on his first instruments, plus a performing diploma on violin, and an MA in music. He also has a background as an organist and vast experience as a choir trainer and conductor.
Roy has spent most of his career combining teaching, performing, examining and adjudicating. He has taught academic music to A Level, his instruments to diploma level and the violin to RAM Exhibitioners. He has coached numerous orchestral and singing courses and festivals for children and has conducted many adult choral societies performances. He has arranged and composed countless pieces for choirs and instrumental combinations and has several of his works published. Following appointments in various public schools, mostly as Director of Music, he is now enjoying a return to freelance life.
He has extensive experience as a performer, in orchestras and ensembles, and as accompanist and recitalist. He is a busy ABRSM grade, diploma and jazz examiner and has worked all over the world, including Malaysia, Hong Kong, Qatar, Jordan, South Africa, Namibia, USA, Bermuda, China and Germany (examining in German). He is the viola consultant for ABRSM, selector of the present viola syllabus, and has presented teacher meetings/training abroad.
As an adjudicator member of the British Federation of Music Festivals, Roy is it on demand at some of the U.K.’s largest music festivals. He not only enjoys adjudicating his specialist areas, but also the complete range of classes as a generalist. He is also very happy to adjudicate online festivals.
Away from music, he can often be found looking after or driving one of his classic cars.

 We are looking forward to welcoming Roy back to our Festival. He last adjudicated for us in 2016.