Piping Biography
| Anthony made regular visits to try out the pipes at David Hillery's in 1969 and got his own set in June 1970. In the November he won the Confined Class at the Alnwick Gathering. The following year he swept the board at the Northumbrian Pipers Society annual competitions winning all three solo competitions; Novice, Intermediate and Open classes. There followed 10 years of regular competition entries with over 40 first places in Open Competitions in both Solo and Duets (with ex-wife Carole). |
Silverware from a year in the early days of competing
Anthony, Carole and son Jamie moved further north in the mid seventies, to
Mount Hooley Cottage, near Whittingham. As neighbours of Alistair and Liz
Anderson they had the privilege of playing with him and the three grand
masters of Northumbrian Music; Will Atkinson, Will Taylor and Joe Hutton, for
over 15 years. Regular music sessions in the local Bridge of Aln Hotel
attracted musicians such as Robin Dunn and Neil Smith and some of the
younger generation including Chris Ormston and Kathryn Tickell.
Mount Hooley Cottage, near Whittingham. As neighbours of Alistair and Liz
Anderson they had the privilege of playing with him and the three grand
masters of Northumbrian Music; Will Atkinson, Will Taylor and Joe Hutton, for
over 15 years. Regular music sessions in the local Bridge of Aln Hotel
attracted musicians such as Robin Dunn and Neil Smith and some of the
younger generation including Chris Ormston and Kathryn Tickell.
During their time at Mount Hooley Anthony, Carole & Jamie were joined by their three wonderful
daughters/sisters; Megan, Tamsin and Decima. Once Deci had turned 5 they performed at concerts
and made a television appearance as “The Robb Family Band”.
daughters/sisters; Megan, Tamsin and Decima. Once Deci had turned 5 they performed at concerts
and made a television appearance as “The Robb Family Band”.
The pressures of becoming a headmaster in the 90s restricted Anthony's involvement in traditional
music performance. But pipes and fiddle teaching carried on until he moved abroad to become Head
of Science at Oporto British School in Portugal. A wonderful year in Rome teaching good old -
fashioned chemistry concluded his foreign adventures and he is now back in the north east teaching
traditional music.
music performance. But pipes and fiddle teaching carried on until he moved abroad to become Head
of Science at Oporto British School in Portugal. A wonderful year in Rome teaching good old -
fashioned chemistry concluded his foreign adventures and he is now back in the north east teaching
traditional music.
A keen interest in the old tunes resulted in Carole and Anthony being invited
to join Colin Ross and Alistair Anderson to play on the album "Cut and Dry
Dolly" (Topic Records). Fledgling piper Jim Hall joined in on the opening
track to give a massed pipes sound with 5 sets playing in unison. This
album was the first to use pipes in concert G pitch and the title track was
played by Colin Ross on fiddle and Anthony on a plastic G chanter made by
Colin. A photograph of this chanter appeared in the gate-fold of the Billy
Pigg album "Border Minstrel".
to join Colin Ross and Alistair Anderson to play on the album "Cut and Dry
Dolly" (Topic Records). Fledgling piper Jim Hall joined in on the opening
track to give a massed pipes sound with 5 sets playing in unison. This
album was the first to use pipes in concert G pitch and the title track was
played by Colin Ross on fiddle and Anthony on a plastic G chanter made by
Colin. A photograph of this chanter appeared in the gate-fold of the Billy
Pigg album "Border Minstrel".
A second album "Cut and Dry #2" featuring music from the James Hill era and the Tom Clough
manuscripts was recorded at Mount Hooley and tracks from this along with tracks from the first album
can be heard on "Wind in the Reeds" Topic Records (TSCD529)
manuscripts was recorded at Mount Hooley and tracks from this along with tracks from the first album
can be heard on "Wind in the Reeds" Topic Records (TSCD529)
Apart from teaching Alice Burn, a highly talented pupil from north Northumberland, Anthony's present
activities mainly centre around the Sage Gateshead. He has been involved in a project to
manufacture standardised pipes for large group teaching and is presently the Caedmon Pipes tutor.
For the past two years he has been a co-director, along with Stewart Hardy, of the Folkworks Adult
Summer School in Durham. A role they have agreed to repeat in summer 2007.
activities mainly centre around the Sage Gateshead. He has been involved in a project to
manufacture standardised pipes for large group teaching and is presently the Caedmon Pipes tutor.
For the past two years he has been a co-director, along with Stewart Hardy, of the Folkworks Adult
Summer School in Durham. A role they have agreed to repeat in summer 2007.
| “The Robb Family Band” at Alnwick Playhouse |
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