The highly respected baritone player Rob Richardson has been celebrating his latest achievement in becoming a Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music.

Rob was awarded the ABRSM — the body's highest honour, after completing an exhaustive performance and academic process that involved a 50 minute recital and the presentation of dissertation research.

Hard enough

Rob told 4BR: "The recital was hard enough in itself — as I had to prepare and perform three concerto works. In addition I also had to present a dissertation on the development of baritone repertoire which was just as nerve racking."

Over the last few months the Sterling Instruments artist has passed three other performance exams with Grade 8 distinctions on tenor horn, trombone and piano — all as he prepares to welcome a new baby into his life!

It couldn't have come at a better time — and it has been something which I've wanted to do for some time. Now it has coincided with what could be the best award of allRob Richardson

Best award

"It couldn't have come at a better time — and it has been something which I've wanted to do for some time. Now it has coincided with what could be the best award of all.

I have to thank everyone for their support — especially Paul Riggett at Sterling and Carole Crompton and Katrina Marzella who helped so much with the performance and academic work I had to prepare on pieces commissioned especially for them."

Image: Ben Knowles