Cathedral Organist Daryl Robinson to Focus on Academic Vocation
It is not quite a goodbye but rather see you soon. After six years as the organist for Christ Church Cathedral, Daryl Robinson is stepping away from his post to focus on his role as a professor at the University of Houston in the Moores School of Music where he teaches organ and harpsichord lessons in addition to courses focused on collaborative skills, keyboard harmony, and organ literature. Beginning fall of 2022, he was appointed as the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the school of music and elected to the University of Houston Faculty Senate.
“I have truly loved my time at the Cathedral,” said Robinson. “I’ll miss the worship services and my time with the wonderful choirs. They are a fantastic community, and each of the singers put in so many hours every week to enhance worship at the Cathedral.”
The feeling is mutual.
“The Cathedral has benefited tremendously from Daryl’s talent and his love for what he does,” Dean Gary Jones said. “I’ve listened to his recordings and they are exquisite. Houston has benefitted from all the musical excellence Bob Simpson has cultivated over the years. Daryl is one of the finest.”
For Canon for Music Bob Simpson, who first met Robinson at Rice University where he was getting his master’s degree and Simpson was teaching a seminar class – and later when Robinson served as the accompanist for the Houston Chamber Choir – the opportunity to work together at the Cathedral was most welcome.
“It was thrilling when Daryl called to say that he was returning to Houston after spending some time up in New Jersey at the Westminster Choir College,” Simpson remembers. “It just so happened that we had an opening at the Cathedral.”
Simpson calls Robinson one of the most naturally gifted musicians he has ever had the pleasure of working with.
“I have followed his rise to the top ranges of concert organists with pride and pleasure,” Simpson said. “He has incredible ease and technique at the organ and an ability to bring out just the right sounds to accompany an anthem. I am grateful for the six years we have worked together at the Cathedral.”
Senior Warden Flo Ray, who sings with Parish Choir during the 9 a.m. service, says that her appreciation of Robinson’s talent has grown over time.
“For one thing he always knows exactly where Bob wants to start next,” she said. “It always takes me a while to find it and Daryl is right on it and ready to go. I love when Daryl plays. Listening to him on the second Sunday of Easter, I thought we were getting a whole concert. He was so full of joy and I think it’s wonderful to be able to communicate that in music.”
“Daryl is absolutely brilliant at transitioning from the mass setting to the anthem we need to sing during communion,” adds choir member Charlotte Jones. “I also appreciate how devoted he is to bringing new music into the world.”
Floyd Robinson, who has sung in the Cathedral Choir for almost 25 years, is in awe of his improvisations, which he puts on a par with famed organist Gerre Hancock.
“You’re always kind of amazed what Daryl can do when there’s no music scheduled to be played,” he said.
But he also is equally complimentary of Robinson’s approachability.
“Daryl is obviously quite well known and deservedly so in the organ world, but he is a friend to everyone, he said.
Robinson’s ability to connect with people is also evidenced by his work with younger musicians.
“In every case, he has put his studio students in a better position than when they arrived,” Floyd said. “I think that’s largely due to Daryl’s work and involvement and advice. He gives them a true picture and real exposure. Students across the US are now coming to the University of Houston specifically to study with Daryl.”
Robinson takes pride in expanding the number of events hosted at the Cathedral and looks forward to the continuation of the chamber music series with the University of Houston.
“One of my goals has always been to make the Cathedral itself kind of a center for musical and artistic activity,” he said.
When asked about a favorite Cathedral memory, Robinson talked about the Mass of the Eternal Flame by Ēriks Ešenvalds which the choir had commissioned for Bob Simpson. Everyone else remembers it too.
“The mass was all wonderful and there was an organ piece that was added and I sat there listening to it, thinking there must be three people playing the organ,” said Ray. “It was remarkable all on its own.”
Simpson was again reminded of Robinson’s skill and poise when Robinson told him after the mass that his iPad, which contained the score, went blank just before the performance was to start, only to be restored in the nick of time.
“The hymn was beautifully played with all of the nuance that you’d expect,” he said. “No one would have guessed just seconds before his life had been flashing before his eyes.”
Dean Jones says that Robinson has a lasting place at the Cathedral, whether it be at a concert or as a place to teach his students.
“He’s part of the Cathedral family,” said Dean Jones. “Churches are not known for sending people home with notes about pieces of music they’ve heard that they want to look up but that’s exactly what Daryl and Bob Simpson do for people. The ability to deepen someone’s faith through music is just a rare talent and a rare gift.”
Robinson’s last Sunday as the Cathedral Organist will be July 16. Be sure not to miss it!
English