Bio

I grew up in Leicestershire and played cello in the Leicestershire Schools Orchestra. Later I auditioned for the National Youth Orchestra and was a member for 4 years. I went on to study Cello, French Horn and Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In my final year I was awarded the Ricordi Prize for conducting.

Following some free lance work with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Festival Ballet and the New BBC Orchestra for a couple of years, I took up a post as a Brass Teacher in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. After a few years I returned to England to take up a post as Cello Teacher in North Staffordshire. In Staffordshire I went on to become Cannock Music Centre Supervisor, then Lichfield & Rugeley Music Centre Supervisor and later County Instrumental Supervisor.

My interest in the pipe and tabor started in 1992 whilst doing research for a Staff String Ensemble Dance Music programme when I visited the Stafford Morris Men. It was they who persuaded me to join them and to learn the Pipe & Tabor (the traditional Morris instrument). Since then I have become an honorary member of Cambridge Morris and a member of Faithful City Morris (Worcester).

Learning the Pipe and Tabor was a revelation as it introduced me not only to Folk Music but also to the world of Early Music. Through the Morris I have met many inspirational taborers such as Andy Richards and Mike Chandler and many others through The Taborers Society

During the Pandemic Lockdown I have published 6 books of pipe and tabor music containing in all over 400 tunes. The books are called “A Taborer’s Treasury”. I have sold copies all over the world. See Taborer’s Treasury page.