Richard Woodrow was born into a Salvationist family at Norwich Citadel and is a product of the Young People's Band at the Corps.

Joining NCB in 1978, he spent six months as a back row cornet player (including his first solo with the Band — Eric Ball's 'Clear Skies'), before becoming NCB's soprano cornet player for nine years. A move to solo cornet followed and just prior to the the Band's South African Tour in 1993, he took took over the principal's chair from his father David.

Richard has been in demand for a number of years as a cornet soloist not only in NCB concerts but around Great Britain and Scandinavia. In 2004 he toured North America with the International Staff Band playing flugelhorn, featuring as a soloist during that tour as well as a tour to the USA Western Territory in March 2010. In addition to his role as bandmaster of NCB, Richard is now a full-time member of the ISB playing flugelhorn.

Prior to becoming Bandmaster in 2008, Richard was Deputy Bandmaster for five years, and previously leader/conductor of the Young People's Band for twelve years, responsible for teaching and training the young people. This led to a number of years as an instructor at summer music schools in the UK, and a year as the guest conductor of The Salvation Army's Norwegian Territorial Band.

The Woodrow family make Norwich Citadel their regular place of worship. Richard is married to Elizabeth who is a Songster. They have two children — Eve, who plays horn in NCB and Mark who plays tuba in the Young People's Band. By profession, Richard is a solicitor with a global insurer based in Norwich.

See all Bandmasters of NCB through the ages!