Roderick R Starr Mmus LRAM FISM

Roderick grew up in Winchester where he developed his love of music in and around Winchester College and St Cross. He initially studied the organ under Isadore Harvey and later general music under Ernest Stride and David Squibb in Kent when he joined the Royal Marines School of Music and from where he developed as a composer and conductor. He went on to become a Bandmaster and a Director of Music. He studied harmony and composition under Michael Hurd and later 20th Century composition with Martin Ellerby.

He has been commissioned to compose works ranging from Christmas carols to large symphonic pieces. The West Leigh Trust commissioned Roderick to compose a large work for mixed children’s choir, treble soloist, two pianos and percussion which he based on the story of Rumplestiltskin and in 2013 the Waterlooville Music Festival commissioned him to compose a large scale work for Symphonic Wind Band which he entitled Scherzo Grandoise. The “Chiure de Vent” society in Lille, France, honoured him with an award for his Shifting Sands wind band composition.

Roderick currently lives in Emsworth, near Chichester from where he composes music and teaches for Associated Board Theory examinations. He was the organist of St Mary’s Church, Chidham before taking up the post of Director of Music and Organist of St George’s Church Waterlooville. He is particularly honoured to be successor to his late wife Stella who held this post before him.

Roderick is a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music in conducting. He holds a Masters Degree in 20th Century Composition and is a Fellow of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.

Autumn 2015

New Director of Music

On Sunday 4th October Roderick Starr joins St George’s as our newly appointed
Director of Music and Organist.