Roger studied piano and composition at the Royal Manchester College of Music with Franz Reizenstein (A pupil of Vaughan Williams) He spent his early life conducting and writing musicals for Amateur Operatic Societies in the North West of England and has had several performed to critical acclaim.
He then went on to conduct four Junior Choirs and compose original songs for each of them.
Remembering his frustration of writing music and poetry in his teens that would never be performed, he decided, in 1992, to instigate the Young Composer and Poet Competition.
Despite his dedication to these, he has still managed to write many diverse pieces for adult choirs and orchestras, which continue to be performed.
The annual Concert to display the talents of the Finalists consists of two groups. Musical entries are performed by the Stage One Orchestra, a group of professional and semi-professional adults who freely give of their services. The 
poetry entries are read by established principals from local Operatic and Dramatic Societies. All are supported by a loyal back-up team of stage-crew and front-of-house.
None of this would be possible, however, without the dedication of many head teachers and teachers from local schools and colleges. Of the 750+ entries received each year most are group entries from such educational establishments.
Because we advertise in the local press and in libraries (and now on the web) we also get a good response from individuals.