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.
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.
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”.
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”.
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.
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.
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".
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".
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)
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)
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.
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.
| “The Robb Family Band” at Alnwick Playhouse |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |