Richard Toomer

After completing my degree course at the Conservatoire I went on to study for a PGCE in Music Education. I spent over twenty wonderful years teaching music in secondary schools across Birmingham and Exeter. Alongside my teaching career I spent the other side of my double life as a performer and musical director. I have extensive experience as a violinist in orchestras, theatre pits and string quartets. I also have my Grade 8 in Piano. I have been musical director for over 50 theatre productions mainly in the West Midlands but more recently in Devon and Torbay. In July 2017 I left the teaching profession to go totally freelance as a musician. I have already built up a number of contacts in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall and regularly play with local orchestras including Truro Symphony Orchestra and the British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. I play first violin with the very busy Exe Valley String Quartet playing at many weddings and corporate events across the region. I also market myself as a solo violinist/pianist for weddings, parties and corporate events. Although I trained as a classical violinist and classical pianist I also have a real passion in more contemporary musical styles and feel equally at home playing Mozart, Duke Ellington or Take That!