Richard Churches (20/07/1966), a Welsh composer, from Caerleon. Although neither of his parents are musicians themselves by profession they have always taken an active interest in music and his mother has sung in choral societies etc. He began singing as a chorister and then later was Head Chorister at St. Martins Parish Church. Before going to University he studied composition with Gwyn Pritchard in Bristol and at this time became interested in the music of Cornelius Cardew.
His compositional work at this time was almost entirely avant garde although at the age of 15 he took an Associate Diploma in Harmony and Counterpoint. He studied composition at Royal Holloway College (London University) with Brian Dennis while taking his Bachelor of Music degree.
His compositional style has been influenced by the Cardew school and he has rejected the avant garde in favour of a more traditional aesthetic which places the importance of communication ahead of complexity.