Hal Robinson Receives Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Society of Bassists

Robinson served as the principal bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra for almost three decades

Given biennially, the Distinguished Achievement Award of the International Society of Bassists (ISB) celebrates a lifetime of accomplishment and is the highest honor bestowed by the Society.

Born in Houston, Texas, to parents who both played in the Houston Symphony, bassist Harold "Hal" Robinson studied at Northwestern University and the Peabody Institute, with teachers including Warren Benfield and Paul Ellison.

He then served as the principal bass of the Albuquerque Symphony (now known as the New Mexico Symphony) between 1975 and 1977 and went on to be assistant principal at the Houston Symphony between 1977 and 1985.

After a decade spent at the National Symphony, Robinson was appointed principal at the Philadelphia Orchestra, a position he was to hold until his retirement in 2022.

A prizewinner at the 1982 Isle of Man Double Bass Competition, Robinson has made concerto appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Houston Symphony and Houston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, the American Chamber Orchestra, and the Greenville Orchestra.

Robinson has also taught for many years at the Curtis Institute of Music and at The Juilliard School, and his former students include VC Young Artist Xavier Foley.