Cornish musician, composer & teacher Goff Richards dies
A prominent figure in the world of brass bands and male voice choirs has passed away after a long illness.
Goff Richards was one of Cornwall's most famous musicians, known throughout his field as a composer and arranger.
Mr Richards studied at the Royal College of Music.
He died peacefully at his home in Cheshire on 25 June. He was 66. His funeral will take place on 5 July at St Thomas' Church, Stockton Heath in Warrington.
His father was conductor of St Minver Silver Band in Cornwall and his mother was a church organist there for 40 years.
Later he played trombone with the St Minver Band and also in the Cornwall Youth Brass Band.
His first group was the Syncopated Six for whom he also did the arrangements.
After his studies at the Royal College of Music, Goff Richards went on to become Head of Music at Fowey School at the age of 21.
After leaving teaching he became a professional musician working with composer Malcolm Arnold.
He formed the Goff Richards Orchestra, Burnished Brass, Percusssion Plus and The Arcadians.
BBC Radio Cornwall presenter, Phillip Hunt said: "He was someone who had made such an amazing contribution to the world of music, brass bands and choirs, but also the wider orchestral world."
Mr Richards' wrote for The Kings Singers, The Swingle Singers, Evelyn Glennie and Benjamin Luxon.
With lyrics from BBC Radio Cornwall's Tim Hubbard, he arranged James Last's "Morning In Cornwall" for the Marazion Apollo Male Voice Choir.
Goff Richards was made a bard of the Cornish Gorsedd, under the name of Gwas Mynver, meaning Son of St Minver.
The Cornish Gorsedd honours men and women who have made outstanding contributions to Cornwall and its culture, history and language.