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

On joining NCB in 1978, Richard 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, before Richard took over the principal's chair from his father David, just prior to the Band's South African Tour in 1993. He has  held that position with distinction, featuring as a soloist in all the Band's concerts.

Richard has been in demand for a number of years as a cornet soloist around Great Britain and also Norway and Sweden. In 2004 he toured the USA and Canada with the International Staff band, playing flugelhorn, and was featured as a soloist during that tour.

Prior to becoming the youngest Bandmaster of Norwich Citadel Band in almost 60 years, Richard held the position of Deputy Bandmaster for 5 years, and also spent 12 years as leader/conductor of the Young People's Band, 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.

Richard is married to Elizabeth, and their two children - Eve and Mark - are both members of the Norwich Citadel 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!