Wikipedia

Aaron Robinson (composer)

Aaron Robinson is an American composer, conductor, and musicologist.[2] He is the author of Does God Sing? – A Musical Journey. He created the musical work Black Nativity – In Concert: A Gospel Celebration. He also served as conductor and musical director in the PBS documentary On This Island.[3] In 2013, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for composing Maine Public Broadcasting Network's Maine Arts series theme music.[4]

Aaron Robinson
Born1970 (age 54–55)[1]
Camden, Maine, U.S.
GenresClassical, jazz, ragtime, film, Broadway
Occupation(s)Composer, conductor, author
Instrument(s)Piano, organ
Years active1986–present
LabelsMusic at Immanuel
Websiteaaronrobinson.info

Personal background

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Robinson attended Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro, Maine. At 16 years of age—a self-taught musician who never took piano lessons[1]—he became the organist at both the Broad Cove Community Church in Cushing and the Friendship United Methodist Church.[5] By his late teens, he was creating, performing and producing concerts and theatrical productions, including the musical Moody Blue for which he wrote both the music and lyrics.[6] According to a 2013 interview, Robinson studied composition and piano performance at the Boston Conservatory of Music with composers John Adams and Larry Thomas Bell, as well as film scoring with John Williams at the Berklee School of Music;[1] but chose not to graduate with a degree. Instead, he "went out and lived the life of music,"[7] as he said in a 2017 interview. In 2001, he became organist and choirmaster for "Music at Immanuel" at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Portland, Maine.[1]

In 2009, Robinson retired from public performing due to illness. During which time Robinson wrote the memoir, Does God Sing – A Musical Journey.[5] It reached No. 5 on the Barnes & Noble best-sellers non-fiction paperback list for March 2013.[8][better source needed]

Robinson lives on the coast of Maine.[1]

Career

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Robinson has conducted works for the concert and theatrical stage, including Leonard Bernstein's Candide – The Concert Version.[9] In 1997, Robinson conducted Treemonisha: The Concert Version by ragtime composer Scott Joplin at the Rockport Opera House in Rockport, Maine, with a new libretto by Judith Kurtz Bogdanove.[10]

In 2001, he orchestrated, arranged, and conducted the musical Islands,[11] which was produced on Broadway at the New Victory Theater[12] by John Wulp, with music and lyrics by Cidny Bullens.[13]

Robinson conducted the world premiere performance of his Black Nativity – In Concert: A Gospel Celebration in 2001 at the Immanuel Baptist Church.[14] The concert version recreated the original performance of Langston Hughes's Gospel Song-Play Black Nativity[15] that opened in 1961 at the 41st Street Theatre in New York City. In 2004, the documentary film Black Nativity – In Concert: A Gospel Celebration was made about the world premiere performance, production, and creation under the direction of Robinson with the original cast.[16] In December 2013, Robinson collaborated with Dr. Anthony Antolini and the Bowdoin College Chorus and Down East Singers to mount a revised version of his 2004 creation.[2]

Robinson composed An American Requiem, which had its New England Premiere under the direction of Dr. Robert Russell and the USM Chorale.[17] He also wrote Driving Old Memories (The Rockland Maine Song) with his father Ervin Robinson.[5][18][19] On June 2, 2021, the Mayor of Rockland, Maine presented a key to the city and proclaimed June 2021 "Driving Old Memories" month.[20][21]

In 2012 he wrote the music for the independent documentary In the Shadows of Grey Gardens.[5] The theme (Grey Gardens) of which was used as the soundtrack to New York Magazine's June 2025 Hampton Issue featuring Cole Escola as Little Edie Beale.[22]In an article entitled "Robinson and Ragtime", David Welker called him "one of today’s leading proponents of early jazz and ragtime music". He is perhaps best known for his composition "The New England Ragtime Suite" for piano.[23][24]

In 2014, the opening of Maine Public Broadcasting's "Maine Arts!" Series received an Emmy Award at the 36th annual New England Emmy Awards for which Robinson contributed the series’ theme music and was nominated for a separate Emmy Award.[25] Robinson composed the Maine-based musical, The Legend of Jim Cullen – A Dramatic Musical, which received its world premiere at the Heartwood Regional Theater Company in the summer of 2014.[26]

In May 2017, Robinson premiered two choral works in Studzinski Hall at Bowdoin College: "Requiem For a New World" and "This Will Be Our Reply To Violence" with words by Leonard Bernstein.[27] With a famous line taken from an address Bernstein gave a few days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, according to a 2017 interview, it was the first time the Bernstein Estate had ever granted a composer the rights to set the words to music. It was performed later that year by the Vox Nova Chamber Choir. Robinson received acclaim for his compositions from Maine's Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, who remarked: "With the scourge of violence unabated in our times, we all must increase our devotion to the highest ideals of humanity. Through your remarkable career as a composer, performer, and author, you are helping to elevate our nation as you bring distinction to our great state of Maine.”[7]

Robinson collaborated with children's book author and illustrator Ashley Bryan in 2018 on an African-American Requiem titled "A Tender Bridge". The work celebrates Bryan's life and career based on his writings; and uses "jazz, ragtime, Negro spirituals, Southern hymns and other musical idioms, along with a full choir, gospel choir, children’s choir, orchestra jazz ensemble and multiple narrators."[28][29]

In 2019, Robinson founded and became Artistic Director for the "Glenn Jenks Ragtime Revue" in Camden, Maine; a 501(c)3 non-profit[30] organization that celebrates the life and career of ragtime composer Glenn Jenks.[31] The Ragtime Revue presents annual concerts in Revue-style settings, offering music, humor and dance centered around ragtime and early jazz with musicians from around the world.[32][33] The proceeds benefit the "Glenn Jenks Future in Music Prize"; a scholarship promoting music through performance, education and scholarships to aspiring musicians.[34]

As a music historian, Robinson has written for several publications and appeared on radio and television, including Portland Monthly Magazine,[35] The Syncopated Times,[36] NPR and Maine Public Radio,[37][38] and WCSH television.[39]

Published works

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  • Robinson, Aaron (2013). Does God Sing?: A Musical Journey, Tate Publishing. 182 pages. ISBN 978-1621474630
  • Langston, Hughes (1961) Aaron Robinson (2004). Black Nativity, Dramatic Publishing. 34 pages. ISBN 0871291924

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 On This Island Music Director (self) PBS Documentary

Film

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Year Film Title Role Notes
2004 Black Nativity: In Concert – A Gospel Celebration Conductor (self) Documentary
2009 Gamer Musician Music Department
2012 In The Shadows of Grey Gardens Composer Soundtrack
2014 The Truth About You Composer Soundtrack

Compositions

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  • Russian Festival Overture - Orchestra (1987)[40]
  • March for Band (1988)
  • 12 Original Rags - Piano(1989)
  • Moody Blue – The Musical (1990)
  • The Tell-Tale Heart - Narrator and Piano (1990)
  • The New England Ragtime Suite - Piano (1993)[41]
  • Peter and Wendy – A Fantasy Ballet (1994)[41]
  • The Amazing Bone - Narrator and Orchestra (1995)[41]
  • An American Requiem - Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra (1997)[42]
  • Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical (1998)
  • Islands - The Musical (2001)[43]
  • Black Nativity: In Concert – A Gospel Celebration - Chorus, Soloists, Piano and B-3 Hammond Organ (2004)
  • Ballads of the Old West - Song Cycle, voice and piano (2007) text by Lois Wright
  • In the Shadows of Grey Gardens - Film Score (2009)[41][44]
  • La Belle Epoque - (12 pieces) piano (2011)
  • Maine Arts! - Emmy Nominated TV Theme (2014)
  • Sonatina for Bassoon and Piano (2013)
  • The Truth About You, Film Score (2014)[40]
  • Petite Suite - Bassoon trio (2014)
  • The Legend of Jim Cullen – A Musical (2014)[45][46]
  • I Paint What I See - Voice and Piano (2014) text by E.B. White
  • This Will Be Our Reply To Violence – Chorus (2017) text by Leonard Bernstein[47]
  • Words & Music – A Musical Revue (2017)[48][49]
  • A Tender Bridge – Narrators, Soloists, Chorus, Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra (2018)[50][47]
  • Suite for Band (2019)
  • Variations on a Theme by Handel - Piano (2019)[40]
  • Le Carnaval Des Enfants (The Children's Carnival) - Suite for Piano (2020)[40]
  • Piano Sonata No. 1 (2021)[40]
  • Faust in the Anthropocene - Incidental Music (2025)[51][52]

Discography

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Year Album Title Performers Record Label
1998 Treemonisha – In Concert Aaron Robinson, Various Take-a-Bough Productions
2004 Black Nativity – In Concert: A Gospel Celebration Aaron Robinson, Paul Havenstein II, Various Music at Immanuel
2008 Symphonic Dances Aaron Robinson, organ Music at Immanuel
2011 La Belle Epoque Aaron Robinson, piano Music at Immanuel
2011 They All Played Ragtime (re-release) Aaron Robinson, piano Music at Immanuel
2014 Works For Harpsichord: JS Bach & GF Handel Aaron Robinson, harpsichord Music at Immanuel
2014 The Legend of Jim Cullen – A Dramatic Musical The Legend of Jim Cullen Cast Ensemble MAI
2015 Max Morath – Complete Ragtime Works for Piano Aaron Robinson, piano MAI

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Award category Result
2013 Emmy Award Musical Composition Opening Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Genthner, Cathy (December 2013). "A Music Man for All Generations". Maine Seniors Magazine (digital edition). Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  2. ^ a b V e r d i n o-Sullwold, C a r l a M a r i a (December 8, 2013). "BWW Reviews: Langston Hughes' BLACK NATIVITY Lights Up Brunswick Christmas". Broadway World.com. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  3. ^ Lisa Shields (September 1, 2001). "Islands: When one-fifth of a community takes part in a project, things begin to happen". Workingwaterfront.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  4. ^ "Musical Composition Opening to MPBN's MAINE ARTS! series theme music" (PDF). NATASNE 36th Boston-New England Emmy Award Nominees. May 14, 2013. p. 16. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d Dagney C. Ernest (February 13, 2013). "Robinson's Musical Journey". Village Soup. Courier Gazette-Camden Herald. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  6. ^ Genthner, Nancy (January 1, 2003). What's Cooking at Moody's Diner: 60 Years of Recipes and Reminiscences. Down East Books. p. 77. ISBN 0892726318.
  7. ^ a b adams, abigail (April 30, 2017). "Maine composer uses music as 'our reply to violence'". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  8. ^ "Best-sellers from Barnes & Noble". seacoastonline.com. April 7, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2014.[dead link]
  9. ^ Cross, Kernan (July 18, 1996). "Worldly 'Candide' Arrives On Stage (Arts & Entertainment section)". Lincoln County News. No. Your Weekend Plus. Damariscotta, Maine.
  10. ^ Martin, Lucy (November 8, 1997). "Making a Joyful Noise with Joplin (Entertainment section)". Lincoln County News. Damariscotta, Maine.
  11. ^ Ernest, Dagney C. (May 24, 2001). "Singing the Songs of North Haven (Arts & Entertainment section)". Courier-Gazette. No. Your Weekend Plus. Camden, Maine. pp. C3.
  12. ^ Shields, Lisa (November 1, 2001). "'Islands' Takes Manhattan, Portland By Storm". The Working Waterfront. Rockland, Maine: The Island Institute. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  13. ^ Gussow, Mel (September 9, 2001). "Maine Brings Manhattan Some Lessons Of Island Life". New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  14. ^ DeWan, Becca (December 3, 2004). "Back in Black (Entertainment section)". Portland Phoenix. Portland, Maine. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  15. ^ "A Black Nativity". PegMedia.org. Retrieved July 16, 2013.[dead link]
  16. ^ Lemmons, Kasi (July 6, 2013). "HEADS UP: Kasi Lemmons 'Black Nativity' Trailer Drops (Langston Hughes' Remake)". The Street Gypsies.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  17. ^ "Dr Robert Russell and the USM Chorale – In Concert". Eventful.com. November 7, 2006. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  18. ^ "Rockland native's affection for hometown goes global in song". The Camden Herald / Village Soup. June 17, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  19. ^ "The Rockland, Maine Song – "Driving Old Memories" – is a BIG HIT!". Bangor Daily News. May 19, 2010. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  20. ^ “Rockland man receives key to City, annual June recognition for his musical composition”. Sarah Thompson. June 2, 2021. Penbay Pilot.,
  21. ^ “Mayor declares June as "Driving Old Memories" month” Stephen Betts. June 2, 2021. Courier-Gazette.
  22. ^ @nymag; (June 2025). "Cole Escola as Little Edie" – via Instagram.
  23. ^ "Aaron Robinson". Dramatic Publishing. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  24. ^ Swearingen, Corte (June 1, 2020). "Aaron Robinson - Solo Piano Music". American Piano Music. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  25. ^ "People and Business: recognition". The Forecaster. July 16, 2013. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  26. ^ "The Legend of Jim Cullen". Celebrender. May 31, 2014. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  27. ^ "Numb With Sorrow: A Maine Composer Channels A Musical Hero". Portland Press Herald. April 23, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  28. ^ Keyes, Bob (August 12, 2018). "Ashley Bryan, 95, 'always honored' to have a new show". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  29. ^ Nestor, Argy (October 22, 2018). "A Tender Bridge". Maine Arts Ed. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  30. ^ Glenn Jenks Ragtime Revue. Designated as a 501(c)3. June 1, 2023
  31. ^ An exploration of ragtime, including Maine musician Glenn Jenks. Jennifer Rooks. MPBN Radio Maine Calling. October 20, 2022.
  32. ^ The Syncopated Times. The 2nd Annual Glenn Jenks Ragtime Revue, 2022. Ed Berlin. January 30, 2023.
  33. ^ The Courier Gazette. Knox Village Soup. Glenn Jenks Ragtime Revue returns Oct. 23. October 17, 2022. Christine Dunkle.
  34. ^ Bay Chamber establishes prize honoring Glenn Jenks. Pen Bay Pilot. May 5, 2021. Bay Chambers.
  35. ^ Robinson, Aaron (September 1, 2020). "Centuries of Sound". Portland Monthly. Portland, Maine. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  36. ^ Robinson, Aaron (May 29, 2024). "Corte Swearingen Introduces a Ragtime Master to a New Generation". The Syncopated Times. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  37. ^ Maine Calling. Maine Public Radio. The Music of Maine: The Work of Musicians Through The Centuries In Maine. August 7, 2020. Jennifer Rooks, host.
  38. ^ Maine Public Maine Calling. Jonathan P. Smith. An exploration of ragtime, including Maine musician Glenn Jenks. October 20, 2022.
  39. ^ WCSH NewsCenter Maine "207". Aaron Robinson's tribute to Max Morath. Krister B. Rollins. December 7, 2015.
  40. ^ a b c d e Aaron Robinson (1970- ). Pytheas Center for Contemporary Music.
  41. ^ a b c d Author Profile: Aaron Robinson. Dramatic Publishing. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  42. ^ Alna Composer’s ‘Reply to Violence’ Set for World Premiere. Adams, Abigail W. April 26, 2017. Lincoln County News.
  43. ^ Remembering, reviving the musical ‘Islands’. Hallowell, Barney. November 1, 2022. Island Institute. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  44. ^ Aaron Robinson. Broadway World. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  45. ^ The Legend of Jim Cullen [Original Cast Recording. 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2025]
  46. ^ Work of Art: Aaron Robinson. Keyes, Bob. July 20, 2014. Portland Press Herald. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  47. ^ a b Numb with sorrow: A Maine composer channels a musical hero. Keyes, Bob. April 23, 2017. Portland Press Herald. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  48. ^ ‘Words & Music – The songs of Hallett and Robinson’. Kristoff, Lisa. September 14, 2017. Boothbay Register. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  49. ^ Cade Busby, Eleanor. What's the Buzz? Maine Debut of " Words and Music" Shines at the Footlights Theater. November 17, 2025.
  50. ^ Congratulations to award-winning Islesford artist and author Ashley Bryan. Seal Harbor Library. Retrieved July 25, 2025
  51. ^ Faust meets a climate activist in Snowlion Rep’s new play. Gray, Megan. April 7, 2025. Portland Press Herald. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  52. ^ Meet the cast of Faust in the Anthropocene. Ahlin, Margit. February 15, 2025. Boothbay Register. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
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