Robin Taylor was born in Yorkshire in 1966, but brought up in Oxford where he joined the ‘City of Oxford Silver Band’ at the age of 8, studying with David Jenkins (former principal cornet player of the ‘Morris Motors Band’). Robin quickly progressed from playing cornet and baritone to the euphonium, winning many local solo competitions. For 3 years he was the principal euphonium player of ‘Oxford Concert Brass’, and a member of the ‘National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain’. In 1986 Robin left England for Norway to study euphonium with Kim Lofthouse (former bass trombonist of the ‘Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra’) at the ‘Manger Folkehogskule’ near Bergen. While in Norway Robin joined ‘Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag’, and with them won the ‘European Brass Band Championship’ 1988 conducted by Howard Snell.

On his return from Norway Robin joined the ‘GUS Band’, sitting along side the great euphonium player Trevor Groom, who was both teacher and inspiration. Almost 3 years as principal euphonium of the ‘Western Band of the Royal Air Force’ followed (1989-1991), travelling extensively in Europe, and winning the RAF solo competition 2 years running (1989 and 1990). Robin was also caught up in the Gulf War in 1991 serving as a stretcher bearer with the ‘Western Band’ in the Saudi Arabian Desert.

In August 1991 Robin joined the ‘Grimethorpe Colliery Band’ as principal euphonium player, that same year he won the ‘Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition’ in the U.S.A. and was awarded best soloist at the ‘British Open Brass Band Competition’, which Grimethorpe also won under the direction of Frank Renton. In November of 1991 Robin performed the world premier of James Curnow’s ‘Symphonic Variants for Euphonium and Brass Band’ with Grimethorpe at the ‘Colston Hall Festival’, which was recorded live by BBC Radio 3. As well as playing with ‘Grimethorpe’, Robin gained his ARCM with honours in 1992, and taught at numerous universities, colleges and schools in Yorkshire, he also performed Mark Anthony-Turnage’s ‘Three Screaming Popes’ with the ‘English Northern Philharmonia Orchestra’ (Opera North) conducted by Elgar Howarth in the ‘Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival’. In October 1992 there was another success for Robin when ‘Grimethorpe’ became the ‘Champion Band of Great Britain’ after winning the National Finals at the ‘Royal Albert Hall’ conducted by Frank Renton.

In 1993 Robin produced his first solo album of four major original concertos for euphonium which was accompanied by ‘Grimethorpe’ and conducted by Garry Cutt. One of the works, the ‘Horovitz Euphonium Concerto’ was conducted by the composer. The album had great reviews and lead to a live interview on classic FM. After the ‘National Finals Competition’ in 1993 ‘Grimethorpe’ performed at the Gala Concert in the ‘Royal Albert Hall’ as defending champions, Robin was chosen to be soloist, performing Robert Redhead’s ‘Euphony’ which was recorded live by BBC Radio 2.

In November 1993 Robin was guest euphonium player with the ‘National Orchestra of Portugal’ in a performance of Richard Strauss’ ‘Don Quixote’. The beginning of 1995 started with a tour to the Philippines and Malaysia with the brass sextet ‘Principals’ for the ‘British Council’, and a C.D. and concerts with ‘Halle Brass’. At the ‘BBC Festival of Brass 1995, Robin was presented with the ‘Euphonium Player of the Year Award’ by Frank Renton. He also featured with 'Grimethorpe' in the 1995 film ‘Brassed Off’ which had it’s cinema release in October 1996. Robin left ‘Grimethorpe’ at the beginning of 1996 to return to the RAF, joining ‘The Band of the Royal Air Force College’ as principal euphonium player. In 1997 he was awarded the ‘Cassel Silver Medal’ by the ‘Worshipful Company of Musicians’. Robin performed with the ‘English Northern Philharmonia Orchestra’ (Opera North) conducted by Vernon Handley in a performance of Holst’s ‘Planets’ in December 1998.

In April 1999 he performed again with the ‘English Northern Philharmonia Orchestra’ in a performance of Richard Strauss’ ‘Don Quixote’ conducted by Dietfried Bernet. July 2000 saw the release of Robin’s second solo album ‘Metaeuphosis’, containing original music for euphonium and electronics. In April 2001 Robin was involved with the ‘Opera North’ brass section in ‘The Repton Brass Festival’, a weekend of brass clinics and instrumental performance held at the Repton College. He undertook a masterclass working with euphonium students. This was followed by a recital of music taken from his second CD recording ‘Metaeuphosis’. The day culminated in a concert given by ‘The Opera North Brass Tentet’ in the college’s historic concert hall. Robin performed his own arrangement of Bowen’s ‘Euphonium Music’ accompanied by the tentet. In July 2001 Robin and Denise were married.

In October 2001 Robin was invited to perform with Eric Crees’ Symphonic Brass of London in the National Finals Gala Concert at the Royal Albert Hall which was recorded live for CD. The programme included the dance movements from Bernstein’s West Side Story arranged by Eric Crees. In February 2002 Robin was featured as a soloist on The Band Of The RAF College’s CD recording. In 2004 Robin performed a euphonium recital of works from his 2nd solo CD recording. The concert was held at the Sleaford Playhouse in Lincolnshire, Robin’s local town, all proceeds going to local charities. He was also guest soloist in Holland with the Amsterdam Staff Band and Schoonhoven Brass Band, promoting the Willson euphonium for the Swiss company Willson Musical Instruments. In June 2004 Denise gave birth to twin boys, James and Philip. In July 2006 Robin appeared as guest soloist with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, performing the Joseph Horovitz euphonium concerto. In the Summer of 2007 Robin travelled to the Willson factory in Flums, Switzerland, to choose a new euphonium, he endorses the Willson 2900TA Classical model euphonium. In 2008 Robin was invited to join the Desford Colliery Band on principal euphonium. Robin continues to do guest solo work and is a Willson Euphonium Artist.