ADJUDICATORS AND ACCOMPANISTS 2027

Biographical Notes

RICHARD HASLAM BEd(Hons), ARCM

Richard studied for at Sussex University for a degree in Education, specialising in Music and also at the Royal College of Music where he gained a Diploma in Pianoforte Teaching and a Distinction in Grade 8 singing. Richard was Director of Music at Burgess Hill School for Girls for nearly thirty years where he taught to A level as well as running a variety of extra-curricular activities including Chamber groups, Choirs and Orchestras and has recently retired from full time teaching.

Richard has taught piano and singing to Diploma standard and has also been a Moderator for GCSE Music and an examiner for A Level Music. He is currently an adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals and a Mentor for Music for Youth.
Richard also examines for the ABRSM and has completed a number of overseas tours.

He is an experienced accompanist, conductor and singer and has worked with a number of different groups in the community including Choral and Operatic Societies. Richard ran his own choir – “ Cantemus”- for over twenty years and raised over £300,000 for charity. He currently enjoys singing 1st Tenor in the Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Choir.

ROY ROBINSON MA,Dip Perf RCM,ARCM (P),ARCM (T),LRAM (T),LTCL (P)

Prize-winning viola player and pianist, Roy trained as a performer at the Royal College of Music where he won the Leslie Alexander prize, the highest award available on the viola. A dual first study viola pupil of Frederick Riddle and piano pupil of Angus Morrison, he holds a complete suite of performing and teaching diplomas on piano and viola, plus performing diploma on violin and an MA in music. He also has a background as an organist, conductor, and published composer, as well as vast experience as a choral trainer.

Roy has spent most of his career combining performing, teaching, examining and adjudicating. He has taught academic music to A Level, the piano, violin and viola to diploma level, and the violin to RAM Exhibitioners; he currently delivers termly piano diploma masterclasses in Brighton. He has organised and coached over 50 orchestral and singing courses and festivals for children, some under the umbrella of SATIPS, and has coached and conducted many adult choral societies concerts. He has arranged and composed countless pieces for choirs and instrumental combinations with several of his works published by Subject Publications. Following appointments in various independent schools, mostly as Director of Music, he has now returned to freelance life.
He has extensive experience as a performer, including playing viola and piano in orchestras and ensembles and as a solo recitalist, most recently playing 2 piano recitals. He has particularly enjoyed several long lasting piano duet partnerships, largely playing to music club audiences across the south. A former official accompanist to Cheltenham Bach Choir under Brian Kay, he performed on TV and broadcast on the radio; he was also frequent concert accompanist (and occasional conductor) to Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, as well as other choirs across the south.

As a busy ABRSM examiner, he has worked all over the world delivering grade, jazz and diploma exams, including some in German. He has also engaged in other work for ABRSM, including viola consultant, viola syllabus selector and presenter of teacher meetings.

As an longstanding adjudicator member of the British Federation of Music Festivals, Roy brings wide experience of performing and teaching to encourage, support and inspire progress and development. He not only enjoys adjudicating his specialist areas, but also the complete range of classes as a generalist: he is listed as GEN which means he is qualified to adjudicate all classes.
Away from music, he can often be found driving one of his classic cars, playing croquet, gardening or baking cakes!

YVONNE PATRICK GRNCM,ALCM

Born in South Derbyshire, Yvonne began her professional career with D’Oyly Carte Opera Company before joining Glyndebourne Festival Opera. She made her debut with the Touring Company as Despina Cosi fan tutte. In The Bartered Bride she sang the role of Esmeralda which included training to be a trapeze artist! She sang Musetta La Boheme for Opera North & understudied Violetta La Traviata and Fiordiligi Cosi fan tutte.

Yvonne has also worked for WNO, Garsington Opera, Kentish Opera, Opera Brava, Garden Opera, Swansea City Opera & Carl Rosa Opera Company. Roles include Micaela Carmen, Pamina & First Lady The Magic Flute, title role of Madame Butterfly, Mimi La Boheme, Rosalinda & Adele Die Fledermaus, Donna Elvira Don Giovanni, Clorinda La Cenerentola, Adina L’Elisir d’Amore, Violetta La Traviata and Alice Ford The Merry Wives of Windsor. She was soprano soloist in a performance of Mozart’s Requiem in Nairobi Cathedral.

Yvonne appeared as soloist for the Philadelphia Savoy Company, the oldest G & S society in America. She is a regular guest performer on cruises, has appeared on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night. Yvonne moved to Devon in the summer of 2024 but still teaches at Chichester University and is an adjudicator with The British and International Federation of Festivals.