Stephen Roberts started his musical career as a horn player at the age of seventeen. His first job was with the Royal Ballet Orchestra, then the BBC Training Orchestra. He then joined the BBC Northern Radio Orchestra, the Midland Radio Orchestra and the Fine Arts Brass. He was a regular performer with the CBSO, BBC NOW, principal horn with the English Symphony and Viva Sinfonia Orchestras and holds the distinction of having played with just about every major orchestra in the UK as a freelance player, often as guest principal, as well as taking part in hundreds of commercial sessions. He has also given many concerts as soloist and chamber musician.