Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson, Section Leader Percusion, from Sydney, Australia. Studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, London.
When did you start learning an instrument?
I started taking lessons on drum kit when I was 7 years old, but the deal was that I had to have piano lessons as well. I’m glad my parents insisted on the piano lessons because, although I didn’t realise it at the time, they were invaluable to my development as a percussionist.
Earliest musical memory?
My parents have one of those old pianolas at home. All you have to do is pump the foot pedals, which works the bellows, and the piano starts playing itself like in the bars in the old Western movies. My sisters and I would play on that thing all the time when we were very young.
Most memorable moment with the orchestra so far?
There have been a lot of fantastic moments in my short time with the orchestra. The concert with Yan Pascal Tortelier in Dublin last May (Pictures at an Exhibition) was a particularly memorable and well received concert. I think the highlight for me this year though has been the collaboration with Duke Special for the opening concert of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. He’s a great songwriter and the arrangements for the orchestra were particularly well written. I should also mention coaching my mate Derek Thornton, the farmer from Fermanagh, to play Bass Drum for his television series, ‘Derek’s Dreams’. That was a lot of fun… when I could understand what he was saying!
Why did you choose percussion?
It was a process of elimination really. There were audtions for the Junior Concert band at my primary school. We were sent single file into the school hall where they had set up various instrumental ‘stations’– woodwind, brass, keyboards and a drum kit. I don’t think I could get any of the other instruments to make a sound but managed to play something that vaguely resembled a rhythm on the drum kit. That was it, the choice was made!
What’s the most difficult aspect about being a percussion player?
I guess the most challenging thing is being able to maintain your ability over the vast number of instruments that we are required to play in the modern orchestra. We need to have a facility and an understanding of many different instruments, techniques and musical styles in order to cover the modern repertoire. It’s keeping things ‘on the boil’ so that even if you don’t need to play a particular instrument for a few weeks (or months even…), you are still able to come back to it and feel comfortable on it straight away.
Have you had any difficulty finding instruments?
Occasionally we get some requests for some obscure instruments. Most of the time they are easily hired in, but sometimes we might have to be a little bit creative in where we find things. I enjoy that part of the job though, it’s just another challenge.
Most Inspiring Composer
It would have to be Stravinsky. He was such an innovative composer for percussion, pushing the boundaries for players at the time. It is such satisfying music to play, when played well. Also, his music has provided inspiration for so many subsequent composers that write so well for percussion.