Rick Farrow - Musician, Composer, Producer.

Hello & Welcome.

I am very fortunate in that I have been involved in Performing Arts and Music for the past 20+ years. I have found that the longer I have spent doing it, the less I actually know. It is becoming increasingly more challenging to define what it is that I actually do and so In short, I am someone who very much loves artistry and creativity. My devotion to music along with it's devotion in kind, has given my life meaning.

Performing Arts and Music.

Having qualifications and experience in performing arts and theatre studies, I can act, sing and dance. As an instrumentalist, I am well versed in musical performance and composition. I play several instruments including voice, drums, percussion and piano. I have been a musical director, conductor as well as a producer and educator. I am an all round acting, singing and dancing musical performer who can read and write. 

Formal Education.

University of Salford, U.K. MA - Music Composition. Grade - Distinction. Was awarded the Santander travel grant for academic sabbatical, visiting Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. 2016 - 2017.

University: East Carolina University NC, USA. Scholarship and Teaching Assistant, MA - Music. Concentration in performance, composition and conducting. 2015 - 2016.

University Of Salford, U.K. BA - Hons Music. 1st in Composition & Arranging. 2002 - 2006.

City College Manchester. A Level  in Theatre Studies. B - Tech National Diploma Performing Arts. Grade - Distinction. 2000 - 2002.

Vocalist / Performing Arts Work Includes;

As an actor and vocalist I have performed with numerous bands, artists, straight plays, musical theatre productions and revues. Some straight plays include: A Doll’s House. The Dumb Waiter, Our Country’s Good. Musical Theatre Productions include: Bye, Bye Birdie, Grease, as well as a number of revues.

Musician Work Includes;

Small Band

Toured 14 countries consecutively with Blues Rock Band Connie Lush & blues Shouter. Performances include several festivals such as Matthew Street Festival Liverpool, a televised concert in Switzerland playing alongside former Rolling Stones front man Mick Taylor, as well as playing alongside John Lee Hooker Jnr in Moscow Russia.

Big Band

My own big band at Manchester Jazz festival, Apitos, Le Gran Descarga at The Lowry Theatre Manchester, D-Percussion Festival & The Bridgewater Hall, along with The Roberto Pla Latin Big band, Canary Wharf London.

Brass Band.

Winning 1st prize with Timperley Brass Band at the national finals at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, UK.

Wind Band.

Playing the 2016 scholarship gala with the ECU Wind Ensemble North Carolina USA, covering selections from West Side Story.

Symphony Orchestra.

Playing the 2016 scholarship gala with the ECU Symphony Orchestra covering selections from Oklahoma and Phantom of The Opera. 

Jazz-World Music.

Playing in chamber groups for functions and events including Manchester United Old Trafford along with pop sensation Sami Yusuf at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf Germany. 

Pro Shows, Tours and Recordings.

Assistant conductor and orchestrator for Nutcracker on Ice at the Royal Albert Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra, Christmas 2015. Playing and recording drums and percussion for the international tour of Cinderella: The Ice Show, which premiered in London England, along with Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, 2017. RENT UK tour 2013. UK and European tour with Connie Lush and Blues Shouter playing alongside Rolling Stones front man Mick Taylor in Geneva Switzerland, along with John Lee Hooker Jr in Moscow Russia, 2007/2009.

Other musical theatre productions include: Acorn Antiques, Aladdin, Annie,  Assassins, Cinderella, Dick Whittington, Guys and Dolls, Hot Mikado, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan, RENT 20th Anniversary Tour, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, Spend Spend Spend, Spring Awakening, The Full Monty.

Ships.

I have worked as the onboard drummer for the orchestra/show band, accompanying the many varying guest acts and production shows. I have formed and directed my own party band as well as having depped and filled in for others. I have also appeared as a guest entertainer.

Writer: Composer/Arranger and Orchestrator Work Includes;

Recent Show Credits Include; Cinderella On Ice, 2017 - 2018, where I co-wrote, played on and produced the musical score. I have also written for numerous guest entertainer shows. TV & Film Credits Include; Worked with industry professionals including TV and film composers David Lowe and Ron Jones.

Musical Director / Band Leader, Conductor and Producer Work Includes;

Being involved with the running of various projects, I have played with musicians from all backgrounds, created rehearsal and production schedules, been responsible for repertoire, a budget, travel and accommodation arrangements, as well as marketing, promotional and social media. In 2017 I was a co-producer for Cinderella On Ice.

Teaching and Education Work Includes;

I have taught both privately in my home studio and in public schools for Manchester and Trafford music services in the UK. I Was awarded a scholarship as well as a teaching assistantship at East Carolina University, USA. In September 2017, I was invited to work on some orchestral score reductions and conduct at Highlands Ranch STEM Academy in Denver, Colorado. I have conducted masterclasses in schools and conservatories including LIPA, RNCM and BIMM.