Richard Cooke had the good fortune to study composition with David Lumsdaine, whose music and teaching are an abiding source of inspiration. Later, with Helen Roe and Nigel Timms, he founded Soundpool, an Oxford composers' cooperative which in its first year of existence premièred more than 50 new works. He has taught English in Italy and other countries, published widely on art and new music and, unusually for a living composer, has had works broadcast on both BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 1. Technology now allows art to fly free of bureaucrats and accountants; thus copyright and royalties are waived when there is author acknowledgement and a gift to charity.