Robert started his musical career in the mid seventies playing trombone with The Barnsley Metropolitan Brass Band. Over a three-year period the band progressed from youth band status through to 2nd section (no championship section at this time!).

   At this point Robert moved to the Carlton Main Frickly Colliery Band, where he stayed for two years playing the countries concert halls and competing in top level brass band contests, gaining many prizes including first at the ‘Granada band of the year’ contest.

Following his time with Carlton Main, Robert left brass banding and moved to dance band, becoming a member of the Johnny Mann Show Band, a Sheffield based group playing the north of England’s clubs and dancing venues.

   In the late eighties Robert moved back to banding and joined the Hade Edge Band enjoying many successful concert and contesting years, the bands achievements at this time included being Radio Sheffield’s ‘Bold as Brass’ champions for two years in succession.

In 1990 moving back into the championship section Robert joined the Stocksbridge band, where he stayed until 1996 when he became a member the newly formed Harlequin Brass.