Prize-winning viola player and pianist, Roy trained as a performer at the Royal College of Music where he won the Leslie Alexander prize, the highest award available on the viola. 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 piano and viola, plus performing diploma on violin and an MA in music. He also has a background as an organist, conductor, and published composer, as well as vast experience as a choral trainer.

 

Roy has spent most of his career combining performing, teaching, examining and adjudicating. He has taught academic music to A Level, the piano, violin and viola to diploma level, and the violin to RAM Exhibitioners; he currently delivers termly piano diploma masterclasses in Brighton. He has organised and coached over 50 orchestral and singing courses and festivals for children, some under the umbrella of SATIPS, and has coached and conducted many adult choral societies concerts. He has arranged and composed countless pieces for choirs and instrumental combinations with several of his works published by Subject Publications. Following appointments in various independent schools, mostly as Director of Music, he has now returned to freelance life.

 

He has extensive experience as a performer, including playing viola and piano in orchestras and ensembles and as a solo recitalist, most recently playing 2 piano recitals. He has particularly enjoyed several long lasting piano duet partnerships, largely playing to music club audiences across the south. A former official accompanist to Cheltenham Bach Choir under Brian Kay, he performed on TV and broadcast on the radio; he was also frequent concert accompanist (and occasional conductor) to Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, as well as other choirs across the south.

 

As a busy ABRSM examiner, he has worked all over the world delivering grade, jazz and diploma exams, including some in German. He has also engaged in other work for ABRSM, including viola consultant, viola syllabus selector and presenter of teacher meetings.

 

As an longstanding adjudicator member of the British Federation of Music Festivals, Roy brings wide experience of performing and teaching to encourage, support and inspire progress and development. He not only enjoys adjudicating his specialist areas, but also the complete range of classes as a generalist: he is listed as GEN which means he is qualified to adjudicate all classes.

 

Away from music, he can often be found driving one of his classic cars, playing croquet, gardening or baking cakes!