A native of Oklahoma, William Robinson received his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Oklahoma. After serving in the Army, Robinson returned to Norman, Oklahoma in 1946 as Director of Bands at Norman High School until 1959. Robinson then became band director at Bassett Middle School in El Paso, Texas, and later was band director at Coronado High School in El Paso, until he accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Horn at the Florida State University, a post he held from 1966-1971. While at FSU, Robinson was the driving force behind the conception and development of the International Horn Workshops and the International Horn Society. Although happy in Tallahassee, Robinson accepted an offer to move to Baylor University, Waco, Texas, in 1971 as associate professor in the School of Music. Robinson built not only the horn studio at Baylor, but chaired the Instrumental Music Division as well. When he arrived at Baylor, the Music Department had nineteen instrumental majors; at his retirement in 1986, the instrumental music education department had grown to over 120 students, a testament to his leadership. Now retired with his wife in Winter Springs, Florida, Robinson, age 83, continues to teach a private studio of more than forty horn players from around central Florida. His achievements and dedication to the art of horn playing and music education have served countless musicians over the years. He was elected an Honorary Member of the International Horn Society in 1978 and was elected to the Oklahoma Band Director's Hall of fame in 1988. In 1995, he received the Edwin Franko Goldman Award from the American School Band Directors Association. This award is a symbol of high esteem and respect, and is given as a measure of appreciation and gratitude for outstanding personal contribution to the school band movement. William Robinson's passion for music and teaching, however, extends far beyond a resume. His effective and common sense approach to music education is not only captivating, but reflects the dynamic and exciting career that has spanned more than sixty years. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and record the distinguished life and career of this leader in music education.
