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When referred to as a "musical prodigy" seventeen year old West Orange resident Bradley Robinson, laughed and modestly replied, "I don’t know about that. I think of it more as having a gift in music."
We should all be so gifted. For nearly ten years, Brad Robinson, now a junior at West Orange High School, has been playing and mastering the French horn. He has accomplished more in his young years than many could hope to in a lifetime. His musical resume reads like a wish list for young musicians: 2000-01 - Essex Youth Orchestra; 2003 - selected New Jersey Youth Symphony; 2005-winner, Young Artists Concert. Additionally there are a host of honors, selections, travel and prestigious experiences in between.
Brad’s love of music is immediately apparent. A lanky and handsome kid, he can wax poetically about music, and becomes especially enthusiastic about one of his first horns. He noted apologetically that, "I sometimes can’t remember the names of people, but I can remember almost every instrument I’ve ever played." Shaggier and more laid back than portrayed in his formal head shots, he is comfortable and mature discussing his life with music.
"My dad is a music teacher," said Brad, referring to father, Jim Robinson, a veteran West Orange elementary school music teacher. "I used to hate to practice," continued Brad. "Dad would have me break down pieces and learn each section. Now I am grateful because it was that training that gave me the ability to learn the complex pieces I am playing these days." Brad’s initial foray into music was a trombone but he says he hated it and wanted to play the same instrument as his Dad – the French horn. Ironically, Brad’s musical talent is not genetic: He was adopted as an infant. Family lore says that Jim played to Brad’s biological mom during labor, but mom, Wendy, says, "Bradley just came to the right family."
Describing Brad’s talents, the family agrees that this young man is endowed with "musicality" — what they define as "the ability to comprehend complex scenarios in music." In laymen’s terms, noted Wendy, "When Bradley plays, it is from his soul. It is not just that he has been trained." A difference, they note, from a multitude of the young performers against which Bradley often competes. "So many of the kids seem to play with a lack of emotion," said Wendy. "Brad is the one who stops between pieces to tell his audience what he is playing."
Brad doesn’t remember ever not understanding music. He said he could always sound things out. By third grade, Brad was asked to play for grade grade band, a school first. From there he went on to play in a bevy of youth orchestras and competitions.
While music is the pre-dominant part of his life with 75-80% percent of his week dedicated to "something musical," Brad is adamant that there is a whole other part of his life. "Besides school work, I am into really cool stuff. Like juggling (including fire), rock climbing, skiing." He added that he has a girlfriend who is an accomplished bassoonist. But he is also quick to note that not all his friends are from his life in music.
With all that musical talent one might expect Brad to want to join a rock band or some sort of MTV generation gig. "Definitely not," he said. "I could lose my hearing." Instead, Brad yearns to share his talent with the young. "I love working with little kids. They are like sponges; it is really cool to see them interested in music."
Not wanting to forego the spotlight totally, Brad hopes to work as an orchestral conductor and sees his ideal college as having both a strong music department and a respected education program. Also trained in piano, Brad is interested in drum corps. Apparently "musicality" means being blessed with the ability to pick up almost any instrument and play it well. And he plans to continue composing on the computer, hoping to be published.
What would he like from his next five years? He was refreshingly devoid of pat or stage answers about musical prowess. Brad said he is a non-conformist. "One half may be band-geek but the other is anything ‘outdoor freak’." Brad intends to engage in the world and reap knowledge from travel and activities. "I would like to rock climb in the Grand Canyon, ski in Europe and visit or even study in Australia."
Asked what he would like people to get out of reading about him, Brad replied, "The thing I like to get out of being known is the ability to meet people and network not only about music but about my other interests. If you want to talk about music, great. But if you want to tell me about a really amazing place to rock climb, even better."
Kathryn Timpson lives in South Orange and appreciates classical music despite the fact that after several years of piano, she only remembers how to play "Chopsticks."
