Roger Armstrong
Roger Armstrong was born in Northern Ireland
but moved to Australia at the age of 10. He took up the flute at
the age of 15 and, after graduating from the Sydney Conservatoire
of Music with first class honours, joined the West Australian
Symphony Orchestra. Soon after returning to Britain Roger was
appointed Sub-Principal Flute with the BBC Welsh Symphony
Orchestra, a post he held for 17 years. Since leaving the BBCWSO
Roger has pursued a varied freelance career. As Principal Flute
with the Bristol (formerly Emerald) Ensemble he plays concertos,
chamber music and contemporary music in addition to orchestral
work.
Roger has a keen interest in the psychology of
music and has made an extensive study of the music of Beryl Howell,
an autistic composer. His study of music psychology also
contributes to his teaching, particularly in the development of
effective practice strategies. His style of teaching follows that
of his own teacher - rigorous but informal. He encourages students
to learn through enquiry, exploration, discovery, experimentation
and self evaluation. He views his role as a teacher as one of
advisor, guide and assistant in that learning process.