Richard Souper

Studied at Aberdeen University and obtained a Bachelor of Music (Hons) with a research thesis on percussion music, and then at the National Centre for Orchestral Studies. Since then has worked variously as a freelance musician, for the Music Division of the BBC, and as a solicitor. As a performer he initially specialised in contemporary chamber music with groups such as the Koenig Ensemble, Music Projects, Grosvenor Group and Dynamix and in music theatre with companies such as Théâtre de Complicité, Lumiere & Sons and for the ENO Contemporary Opera Workshops at Dartington. He has been principal timpanist with the Westminster Philharmonic for the last 18 years and plays for many of the leading amateur orchestras in London including Salomon Orchestra, Kensington Symphony Orchestra, Covent Garden Chamber Orchestra, Corinthian Orchestra, Haydn Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of the City and I Maestri. He also performs regularly with opera companies including Surrey Opera, Midsummer Opera and Chelsea Opera Group. He has taken part in Master Classes with James Blades and Evelyn Glennie and in 1995 gave the UK premiere of the Benjamin Lees Percussion Concerto. As well as performing in the UK he frequently plays in festivals in Europe including Montepulciano, Carnoules and most recently Stockholm.