Conductor

Described as "probably the most talented Musician to appear from his mother's womb", Robin was born in Kings Lynn, Norfolk in 1973. His Tuba playing career started at the tuba at the age of eleven upon commencement at Springwood High School, Kings Lynn under the tutorage of John Mellor, a man he confesses to owe a lot to.  He quickly progressed through the school and county ensembles and received many awards including becoming the brass finalist in the West Norfolk Young Musician of the Year and being named "Best Bass Player" at the East Anglian Solo Championships on many occasions as well as a solo performance on the BBC1 children's television programme "Secret's Out" (A child's version of "What's My Line"). In 1990 he joined Matthews Norfolk Brass, his first brass band experience. It was also this year that he was awarded "Most Outstanding Soloist" at the National Concert Band Festival for his performance of "Bass in the Ballroom", and joined the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain achieving principal tuba on his first course, a rare achievement.

Following further tuition form the internationally acclaimed soloist Steve Sykes and endless support from his parents Polly and David, Robin gained a place at the Birmingham Conservatoire in 1991 where his tutors were Alan Sinclair of the CBSO and Richard Sandland of the Fine Arts Brass Ensemble.  During this time he performed with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Prince of Wales Brass Ensemble (CBSO members), Brass Pages Quintet and many brass bands including Jaguar Cars (City of Coventry) and William Davis Construction Group.  Robin also experienced much success in solo competitions including 'best brass soloist' in the 'Concerto Trials' and the 'BMI Recital Prize'.  It was also during this period that he first experienced conducting, taking lessons from Dennis Masters and Steven Mead whilst conducting smaller groups within the Conservatoire.

Robin graduated from the Conservatoire in 1995 with a First Class Honours degree and continued his playing and conducting commitments alongside a career in Music Publishing. In this field he has worked for Music Sales Ltd and Warner Bros. Music; (for whom he was the series editor of their Brass Band Series, released to high acclaim in 2001). His current ‘day job’ is working for De Haske Music Publication as well as being a director of his own company, Crabtree Music Publications. ‘At the weekend’ Robin is senior brass tutor at the Huntingdonshire Music School and conductor of the school’s Senior Concert Band.

Described by the Brass Band World magazine as a "Tuba Star"; Robin was, from 1997 to 2005, the solo E-flat Bass with the world-reknowned ‘GUS’ Band where he was also conductor of the bands 10-piece ensemble. He has performed with many brass bands including the YBS Band, The Ransome Band as well as many of the U.K’s top professional orchestras. He combines his regular work and conducting commitments with his active life as a tuba soloist. In this role he has worked with many bands and orchestras throughout the U.K as a guest soloist and premièred many works written and arranged for him.. He is also regularly engaged as tuba performer with many professional orchestras.

In his active role as a conductor Robin is honoured to be the full-time musical director of the Ipswich and Norwich Co-op Band, a great team of musicians who work very hard and have a bright future, as well as undertaking numerous guest conductor engagements with Brass Bands, Concert Bands and Orchestras throughout the U.K.

Robin is based near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where he lives with his wife Rebecca and his children, James (b.2001), and Charlotte (b.2007).

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