Robert was born and brought up in
Guisborough, N Yorks. As a young boy he began singing with the Church
Choir at St Nicholas Church, where he was trained by Richard Bendelow.
He learned to play the organ and was organ scholar there. He was
educated at Selwyn College, Cambridge where he
held a
choral exhibition and read law. During his time at University he was
active in the Selwyn College music scene, and was also organ scholar
and subsequently assistant organist at the University Church of St Mary
the Great.In 1996 Robert decided that a life in law was not for him, and moved to Oxfordshire to make a living out of music. For a while he fulfilled a life-long ambition to work as a motorcycle courier while building up his work in and around Oxford. During his first few years in Oxford, he was Director of Music at the Church of Ss Mary and John, Cowley Road, Conductor of the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir and of the Lord Williams Festival Chorus in Thame.
In early 2000 Robert became
Director of Music at the churches of St Mary and St Leonard in
Wallingford, and also Conductor of Henley
Choral Society. In 2001 he took up the post of Director of the Cathedral
Singers of Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford.
In 2003 Robert left Oxfordshire for his native Yorkshire to take up the post of Director of Music at St John's Church Ranmoor, and since being in Sheffield has also become Director of the Sterndale Singers, accompanist to the University Singers' Society, and a singing coach at SLP College, Leeds. He also continues with other freelance work.
As Director of Music at St John's Church Ranmoor, Robert is in charge of three choirs; a Chamber Choir of young adults, the Parish Choir (boy trebles and men) and the mixed Ranmoor Children's Choir which is open to children aged 6 and upwards.
When not involved in musical
pursuits, Robert enjoys relaxing with a good vintage wine and (in fine
weather) biking round the local countryside.