Richard Brittain was born in Handsworth, in the Midlands, in 1958. After moving to Southend in 1966 he developed a keen interest in music, playing the recorder, piano, guitar, and then later, the violin when he started learning in his final year at Junior School. In 1972 Richard became a Junior Exhibitioner at the Royal College of Music and went on to win the Ian Stowsker Violin Prize in 1977 whilst in his final year at Westcliff High School for Boys.

In 1977 Richard became a full time student at the Rotal College of Music and studied for the B.Mus. (Hons.) Degree in conjuction with the University of London. He was awarded the A.R.C.M. Diploma in Pianoforte in 1979. Graduating in 1980, Richard continued studying at the Royal College on a Violin Performers course during which time he gained a Diploma on the Violin and an Advanced Certificate in performance. He has studied the Violin at the R.C.M. with Barbara Lyle, Jack Steadman and John Ludlow, and the piano with Deidre Doyle and John Barstow.

Richard became a qualified teacher working for the London Borough of Redbridge in 1982. After that he joined the peripatetic instrumental teaching team for Essex County Council. Between 1988 and 1998 he worked in a number of different proffessional and managerial roles with Essex Music Services.

Following the creation of the Unitary Authorities of Southend and Thurrock, Richard was appointed Head of Music Services for Thurrock Borough Council in May 1998.

Richard has been leader of the Southend Symphony Orchestra since 1982 and, in addition to leading for many Operatic and Choral societies, has played as guest leader for the Southend Philharmonic Orchestra and the Essex Symophony Orchestra.

Several solo performances have included the Bruch, Mendelssohn, Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4, the Schumman, Saint Saens 2nd, Rachmaninovs 3rd Piano Concerto and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, in addition to solo recitals. More recently Richard has undertaken numerous engagements with the Bergonzi String Quartet.