MARK ROBBINS MUSIC

Mark Robbins was born in Toronto, Ontario on June 18, 1960. He began to study music at the 

age of seven when his father, a Salvation Army Bandmaster started teaching him on the cornet.

Shortly afterwards Mark began piano lessons and his passion for music soon became evident. 

 

Throughout high school, Mark was very active in orchestras, bands, choirs and various small ensembles at church, school and in the community. He was awarded the Honor Student Award at the 1975 Salvation Army Senior Music Camp in Jackson's Point, Ontario. In 1977 Mark won the Canadian National Exhibition Kiwanis Music Festival Trumpet Solo Open Class Award before graduating from Applewood Heights Secondary School in Mississauga Ontario.

 

In 1982, he graduated from Ontario Bible College (now known as Tyndale University) with a Bachelor of Sacred Music degree (major - trumpet performance, minor - piano performance ) and was awarded the Joseph C. Macaulay Award for the outstanding music graduate.

 

Mark went on to study at Wilfrid Laurier University in order to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree (major - music education) in 1985 and a Bachelor of Education degree in 1986 from the University of Toronto. 

 

Mark is also a recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.

 

 

 

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Prime Minister Paul Martin presenting Mark with the award in 2004.

 

 

Mark has studied privately with the following distinguished musicians: 

 

Piano: 

 

Evangeline Court (The Salvation Army)

Laurie Pallett (Trinity College of Music) 

Lloyd Werner (Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association)

Louise Kho (Eastman School of Music) 

 

Cornet & Trumpet: 

 

Woodrow Robbins (The Salvation Army)

Wilfred Dean (The Salvation Army)

Arthur Dean (The Salvation Army)

Larry Weeks (Toronto Symphony Orchestra) 

John Tickner (Canadian Chamber Ensemble) 

Fred Mills (Canadian Brass) 

 

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Mark has taught music for the following schools: 

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Royal Conservatory of Music (Mississauga Branch) 

Crescent School (Toronto) 

Kennedy Road Tabernacle Christian School (Brampton) 

The Peel Board of Education (Musicians in the Schools Demonstration Concerts) 

The Scarborough Board of Education (occasional teacher at various schools) 

The University of Toronto Schools (Head of Music) 

 

In 1987 Mark joined the staff of M.V.D.H.S. in Barry's Bay, Ontario as the Music Director and he retired from the position of Arts Department Head in 2014.  

 

Upon retirement  Mark began his  position as

Director of Music at The Anglican Church of the Epiphany in Barry's Bay.

 

Mark continued his private studio teaching as a registered teacher with the

Royal Conservatory of Music.

 

He also served as an Occasional Teacher and Mentor in the

New Teacher Induction Program with the

Renfrew County District School Board.

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Upon moving to Elmira, Ontario in 2016, Mark accepted a one year contract position as the

Director of Music at Trinity United Church.

 

Mark also taught piano at

Spark Creative Arts and Events Inc.

in Elmira from 2019 to 2022.

 

Also, Mark has been honoured to be the

Music Director at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church

in Elmira, since 2019.

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Mark has had extensive performing, writing and teaching experience and he states:

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"Music has always been and always will be a true joy in my life.

The greatest thrill for me as a music educator is sharing this wonderful

art form with others. I feel that sharing God's beautiful gift of music is a privelige and I cannot

express how truly grateful I am for this opportunity"

 

The recordings included here represent some of the pieces that Mark has written for teaching his students. Some other pieces recorded here are arrangements for worship services or concert performances, while others are special musical memories of family, friends, places or events.

 

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AN INTRODUCTION TO MY MUSIC

by Mark Robbins

 

Among many other amazing musical experiences, I had the great honour of being a member of the Crowning Brass quartet during the 1980’s. It was a very significant time in my creative life and I adopted the group’s statement below as my own for my lifetime of creating music,,,,,

 

“The artist who is serious about making the most effective use of his/her talent must sacrifice many years to develop that ability. This, it is hoped, will bring his/her skill to a level that will accomodate mature expression.  During these years of struggle, the ego is shattered by failure and built by acclaim, but the artist  never stops striving.

 

The effect of this effort on the artist is either a total dedication to “art” itself, a self-image dependent on his/her own artistic achievement, or a search for the source of that talent which has been so carefully developed.

 

I have concluded that the source of creative expression can only be that Power which set this world in motion initially and continues to this day giving meaning to life.  This has to be the God of all creation,  He who rightfully deserves our very selves.  The God of Abraham,  Isaac and Jacob,  incarnated in Jesus the Christ,  is the author and finisher of my faith and it is to him I offer my art, for it is He who has made me.”

Mark Robbins

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Click on music note buttons below for links about Mark Robbins :

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Click on Organ Music button below for organ recordings by Mark Robbins :

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To contact Mark Robbins by email click the envelope mail button :

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