Richard Howarth brings a wealth of experience and energy to orchestral conducting, inspiring both musicians and audiences. He is able to draw on a distinguished career as a violinist, leading and directing orchestras for over twenty years.
Richard is as comfortable working with elite orchestras as he is training and educating amateur and youth groups. He conducts/directs Manchester Sinfonia, a new professional orchestra that performs concerts, accompanies choral groups and is available for recording sessions. He has also conducted Manchester Camerata, the Ulster Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the London, Scottish and Manchester Concert Orchestras and, from the violin, has directed Manchester Camerata and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Trained as a violinist at the Royal College of Music in London, Richard worked with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and as Leader of the Ulster Orchestra before becoming Leader of Manchester Camerata.
He has been a guest leader with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Scottish and Welsh Symphony Orchestras, the BBC Philharmonic, the Halle, Orchestra of St John's Smith Square, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, East of England Orchestra and Bournemouth Sinfonietta.
Educator
Richard is in demand in a variety of teaching environments. As a regular visitor to the Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham's School of Music as an orchestral coach, he enjoys the challenge of imparting his 'know how' to students, many of whom will go on to play in the major orchestras of the UK and beyond.Amateur orchestras feature in Richard's work. He is Conductor/Music Director of Sale Chamber Orchestra and Westmorland Orchestra. As a guest, has conducted Chester Philharmonic Orchestra, Blackburn Symphony Orchestra, Wrexham Symphony Orchestra and Lancashire Chamber Orchestra. Richard coaches Huddersfield Philharmonic and Stockport Symphony Orchestra.
In order to engage with amateur players and to show them how to play to the best of their combined abilities, it is essential to have confidence in yourself and achievable targets for each session. Richard seems to strike a balance which enables all the participants to enjoy their own contribution and that of the whole group.
