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ABOUT

Roger is an English cornetist who receives worldwide critical acclaim for his performances.

Alongside his playing activities, he works as a psychologist specialising in performance psychology and physiology.

Roger was born in Doncaster in 1960 and began playing cornet at the age of 10, having first started playing the piano at the age of 6.  His talent on cornet soon began to show with Roger joining Grimethorpe Colliery Junior Band in 1971.

Upon leaving school, Roger had multiple jobs. These included being a Lab Technician, a coal miner, sale development manager for a Brazilian textile company and Administrator (pensions and acquisitions), before turning his hobby into a way of life and becoming a professional musician in 1993.

It was in 1988 that Roger joined the world famous Black Dyke band as Principal Cornet, staying for 5 years before travelling the globe as a soloist.  This solo work has included playing at several prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House, before Roger once again joined Black Dyke as their Principal Cornetist in 2000; staying for another 5 years.

Roger has released many solo CD’s and appears as a soloist on over twenty albums with ensembles from England, Switzerland, Holland, U.S.A. and Japan. In addition, he has written a book, Websters PPP: Preparation, Practice, Performance which has received great critical acclaim across the globe and is available in English and German.

While Roger continues to travel as a solo artist playing with brass bands and orchestras worldwide, he played as the Principal Cornet for Grimethorpe Colliery Band, a post he has held on and off since 2005, eventually leaving the band in 2019.

Outside of his playing, Roger is a senior lecturer at The Royal Northern College of Music where he conducts research in the area of psychotherapy, with special relevance to the needs of musicians. As well as this he delivers lectures and consultations in the area of Performance Psychology drawing on the aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. In recognition of his work at the RNCM, Roger has been awarded the title of Professor (personal Chair).

Roger is an Ambassador for Besson Musical Instruments and has been actively involved in the development of new products since 1988.and as of 2018 he has joined a prestigious line up of Ambassadors for the charity, Music for All.

On a personal side, Roger is married to Dawn, who he met at High School and married in 1981. Despite starting to play trumpet at the age of 10, their son David, hasn’t followed in his father’s footsteps and instead works in finance. However, David’s wife, Becca, more closely follows her father-in-law, being a Dr of Psychology, and in 2021 was included in the Forbes 30 under 30 list for her work in the field. David and Becca have a son, Joseph born in 2022.

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