Robin Norman – Brass (Musical Director: PYO)
Robin Norman, was born in Norfolk in 1973. His musical life started at the age of 11 when he began studying the Tuba at Springwood High School, Kings Lynn. As a Tubist Robin quickly moved through the school, regional and county ensembles as well as becoming the Brass finalist in the West Norfolk Young Musician of the Year at the age of 16 and also being awarded ‘Most Outstanding Soloist’ in the National Concert Band Festival held in Manchester in 1990.
In 1991 Robin accepted an unconditional offer to study Tuba at the Birmingham Conservatoire and it was here that he first experienced conducting by undertaking classes in orchestral, brass band and choir direction tutored by the Conservatoire conductors in residence. Whilst a member of the Conservatoire Robin was fortunate enough to take part in performances of many great choral works including Verdi’s “Messa Di Requiem” at the iconic Symphony Hall. He was also a regular member of the Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra with whom he performed throughout the UK with such great conductors as Sir Simon Rattle and Sir Charles Groves to name but two. Watching some of the greatest names in conducting ignited an interest in conducting that Robin maintains to this day.
Robin graduated from the Conservatoire in 1995 with a first-class Bachelor of Music honours degree and freelanced around the Birmingham and West Midlands area before entering the Music Publishing Industry. He remained in the industry until 2008 working for the major companies including some time as the specialist and consultant for Warner Bros. Publishing in Band, Orchestra, Choral and Education products. It was also during this time that he took his first full-time conducting positions in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Robin left the publishing industry in 2008 and re-trained as a secondary school Music Teacher, a decision he has never regretted. He was the Head of Performing Arts and Head of Music at Ken Stimpson Community School in Werrington, Peterborough from 2011-2021 where he developed their highly successful choir and acapella group that regularly performed in Peterborough and further afield including invitations to perform at Disneyland Paris on three separate occasions.
In September 2021 Robin was thrilled to return to where it all started for him musically when he was appointed Director of Music at Springwood High School and for the West Norfolk Academies Trust where he leads music in 4 secondary schools and 9 primary schools. As part of his role he conducts Springwood’s award-winning Concert Band and their Orchestra as well as leading a fantastic team of educators to build on previous excellent work that has given Springwood the reputation as one of the most musical schools in not just the East of England but the whole of the UK including being shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Music Department of the Year’ in the National Music and Drama Awards in 2023.
Away from his work in school Robin has performed with many of the UK’s professional orchestras including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra de Camera as well as many of the country’s best known brass bands such as Grimethorpe Colliery, Brighouse and Rastrick and GUS. He enjoys performing in many different styles and has also performed in Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club as well as being a member of the BBC Big Band of the Year. He has also performed as soloist on many occasions with Orchestras, Brass Bands, Concert Bands and Recitals with piano. As a conductor he has directed many Brass Bands, Orchestras, Jazz Ensembles and Concert Bands across the UK.
In 2015 Robin re-formed the Peterborough Youth Orchestra, with whom he has been Musical Director subsequently including annual Summer Courses and performances of “The Snowman” and “The Bear”. He joined PCYM as Brass and Production tutor in January 2022 and looks forward to his future in this role.