SRP Music Advisor Colin Touchin 1953 – 2022
Colin Touchin was a well-known and respected figure in the recorder world and wider
musical community. He composed, conducted, and presented radio shows, worked with
recorder orchestras, symphony orchestras, and choirs, and developed talent across age
ranges and professional experiences.
He held teaching and directing positions at Chetham’s School of Music, University of
Warwick, as musical director of the National Youth Recorder Orchestras GB, and Heart of
England Recorder Orchestra, as well as working with symphony and chamber orchestras in
the Far East and Europe. He also played the recorder, clarinet, and piano.
Colin was in many ways a natural educator. He was able to bring on any ensemble and
group, and often take it beyond its own musical and technical expectations. He was clear
with his conducting gesture and inventive with his spoken word in rehearsals.
With NYRO, he produced some stunning performances that increased the awareness of the
recorder orchestra format and the quality of the musical results. Highlights included a
summer tour to Stuttgart in 2016, and concerts in the Sage Gateshead, the RNCM concert
hall, and the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham.
NYRO had the pleasure to premiere what would sadly be one of his last compositions,
his Sinfonietta for recorder orchestra, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of NYRO, in
Uppingham, UK this July.
Next year the Airforce recorder days with Tom Beets and Joris Van Goethem will
perform Amber Road, a work for four recorder soloists, a chamber group, and a full recorder orchestra – this is one of his most enduring works for recorder orchestra.
Colin had a huge impact on many people and was a good friend and colleague. He will be
remembered and live on in the groups he established and worked with, and the music he
composed.
Chris Orton