About

In a diverse musical landscape, Richard Austen is an experienced musician and flautist adept at 18^th century performance practice through to 21^st century band and popular music. He is a specialist in 18^th century performance and early flute techniques performing on a wide variety of flutes and recorders.

From an obsession with flute technique while at school, Richard studied music performance at Goldsmiths College University of London and has since continued to expand his repertoire performing with a variety of ensembles across London including band, chamber and orchestral performance. Highlights have included performances of concerti by Bach and Mozart with Ashford Baroque Ensemble, and You Me Bum Bum Train as part of the Olympic Arts Festival in 2012.

Richard is currently principle flautist with Belsize Baroque Ensemble and flautist/piccolo with Whitehall Orchestra. He is also a regular performer with Ashford Baroque Ensemble, South Circular Orchestra, Essex baroque Orchestra, Lewisham Concert Band and is a member of the Alvirini Recorder Quartet. Richard organises and is involved with regular chamber music concerts with members of both Belsize Baroque and Zadok Baroque in London. Richard is also a teacher of flute, recorder and music theory.

Apart from performance, Richard has helped expand the ever growing recorder ensemble repertoire having arranged Classical works for modern recorder ensemble published by Willobie Press and Score Exchange.

Richard is a strong advocate for informal, exciting performances and hopes to inspire flautists of all ages to enjoy being creative and spontaneous in their playing.