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David A. Robb
David A. Robb was born on June 7, 1932 in
New York City. He began music lessons when he was four, and was
the pianist for his grammar school graduation. At that point
he began several years of instruction at Carnegie Hall. He graduated
from New York's High School of Music and Art, where he majored
in Voice, and during his last year was Senior Organist. Prior
to entering the Air Force, he studied Conducting briefly at The
Julliard School. While serving as an organist/chaplain's assistant,
he felt led to go beyond music ministry into pastoral work.
He holds the Bachelor of Science degree from
Valdosta State College (Valdosta, Ga.), with Social Work and
English, and a science concentration in Physics and Math. He
holds the Master of Divinity degree from the Chandler School
of Theology of Emory University (Ga.), and did post-graduate
work at Columbia Seminary (Decatur, Ga.) in Biblical Studies.
He also holds a Master of Education degree from West Georgia
College (Carrollton) in Counseling and Gifted Education. He taught
several years in the public schools in Georgia, and served as
Co-Director of a mission school in Puerto Rico.
As an Ordained Minister and certified Minister
of Music in the United Methodist Church, Robb has held appointments
in both fields. He has taught piano, organ, and voice through
most of his years in ministry. A life member of The Hymn Society
in the United States and Canada, he served on staff for several
music camps. Two of his high school choral compositions won national
recognition.
Robb began writing poetry in his teens, so it was a natural outgrowth
for him to write hymn-poems to follow sermons where no appropriate
hymn existed. Also, he has written many hymns for special celebrations
or by commission. Since the occasions were best served by using
a familiar tune he has penned only five hymn tunes for his hundred
or so texts.
Many of Robb's hymns are in his collections
and journals and ten have won honors (including four international
first-place awards)* in hymn searches sponsored by The Hymn Society,
the American Guild of Organists, and various denominations.
Most of his hymns are addressed to God in
the name of the worshipping congregation-as corporate prayer
in song. Generally, they are permeated with scripture, and they
reflect many voluntary social service interests he has pursued,
beginning in his teens teaching music at the New York Lighthouse
for the Blind, and playing for tubercular wards after his Sunday
worship responsibilities; more recently he has served as a Counselor
and Board Member of Dalton's Family Crisis Center, Chaplain and
Aeronautics Education Officer in the Civil Air Patrol, District
Coordinator for Bread of the World, working in different capacities
as a peace advocate and anti-hunger activist. Although retired,
he still serves a local congregation.
Various collections including his hymns are:
Banquets of Praise, Holding in Trust, One Hundred Hymns of
Hope, Singing for Peace, Songs of Rejoicing and New Songs of
Rejoicing, Together Met-Together Bound. A half dozen of his
texts are printed in issues of The Hymn.
Robb and his wife, the former Ethel Ingram
make their home in Dalton, Georgia. They have three married children,
Bruce, Renée, and Michele, and two granddaughters, Nelle
and Johanna.
*Creative Lord, When You Spoke Forth; Sixth
Assembly, World Council of Churches
Living Lord of Love's Dominion: Charlotte Chapter, American Guild
of Organists
Lord, Whose Challenge Draws Explorers: Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America
Praise the Living God Who Sings: New England Region, American
Guild of Organists
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