Composers

Rick Robinson

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About

Rick Robinson was a double bassist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) for 22 years. He studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy, the Cleveland Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music. He was principal double bassist in various orchestras including the Spoleto Festival and The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under famed composer John Williams. During his tenure at DSO Robinson began transcribing famous symphonic works to launch a mixed octet he called CutTime Players. Information and samples can be found at cuttime.com. Robinson began working extensively with Hailstork in the late 1990s to typeset some of his works while the composer collaborated frequently with the DSO. Hailstork became a revered mentor for the emerging creative and gave him a copy of I’ve Seen the Day.

Related Information

Works by Rick Robinson

Title Published Size Solo with Ensemble Duration Range Level Orchestration
Chaconne for Interesting Times Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 2(picc)2(Eh)2(BCl)2(Cbn).4331.perc2.strings (no timp) Key of B-minor Mood: epic tragic
Elegy Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 2222 422(bass)0 Timp strings (Note: bass trombone is nec.)
Essay No. 2 "Never Forget" Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 2(+Picc), 2(+Eh), 2(+BCl), 2(+Cbsn), 4331, Timp, Strings
Essay No.1 "After Sibelius" Yes Full Orchestra 20+ Professional 3(Picc), 2(+Eh), 2(+BCl), 2(+Cbsn), 4331, Timp+3, Strings Perc = Suspended Cymbal Glockenspiel Triangle Snare Drum Gong Cowbells (with clappers) Crash Cymbal 2 Bongos Bass Drum 5 Timpani (use timbale for high note)
Gigue Rondo for Oboe and Strings Yes String Orchestra Oboe 10-20 Professional str, oboe
Gitcha Groove On!** Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 2222/2200, perc, str (10 minutes)
Highland Park, MI: City of Trees Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 3332(Cbsn) 4331 Timp+2 Strings Perc = suspended cymbal, medium gong, cowbell, shaker, triangle, kick drum (dry)
Idyll for English Horn and Strings Yes String Orchestra English Horn 5-10 Professional str, eng horn
Mighty Love Sextet for Strings Yes String Orchestra 20+ Professional 2 violins, 2 violas, cello, bass There is an optional surprise percussion player in the front row who pulls out a JAW HARP for the 2nd theme of the 1st mvmt
Pork ‘n Beans (A DE-troit Counterpoint) Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 2222,2220, Timp + 1, strings Percussion is trapset, shaker, cowbell