In this episode of Beyond the Music, Quad City Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Brian Baxter chats with Robert Parker, Principal Trombonist.
Parker shares what excites him about stepping into the spotlight for his upcoming Up Close recital—an opportunity to feature the trombone as a solo instrument and reveal its expressive range. He discusses the storytelling behind his program, including a science-fiction–inspired work and a deeply personal piece that traces the journey of life through music. Parker also offers a glimpse into the preparation that goes into recital performance, from interpreting a composer’s intentions to the vulnerability of putting one’s sound—and artistry—out into the world.
TRANSCRIPT:
Brian Baxter
Welcome to Beyond the music. I’m Brian Baxter, Executive Director with the Quad City Symphony, and I’m here with a very special guest. Why don’t you tell us who you are, what you do with the symphony?
Robert Parker
Yeah, thank you. My name is Robert Parker. I’m Principal trombone with the Quad City Symphony. I’ve been with the orchestra for about eight seasons now.
Brian Baxter
Awesome, awesome. Glad to have you here. And the reason we have you here is that you are performing a solo Up Close concert with us. We’re thrilled about that. Can you tell us a little bit about the program? What excites you about it, and what you’re looking forward to?
Robert Parker
Sure, I’m so excited to share the trombone, really as a solo instrument. Usually, the trombone is sort of relegated to the back of the orchestra, but I’m excited to take a really prominent role and really show what the trombone can do. I think the piece I’m most excited for is the newest piece, James David’s “Secure, Contain, Protect”. It depicts sort of science fiction topics, these supernatural, paranormal beings that are depicted through music. And it’s a really cool piece. So I’m really looking forward to that piece. I think the audience is really going to like it.
Brian Baxter
Wow. That is really neat. I love that. I would not have thought of that with with a trombone feature concert. So that is, that is wonderful. So is there a particular musical moment or theme in the concert that you think the audience should kind of perk up for?
Robert Parker
I intentionally programmed very, I guess, programmatic music that really tells a story. So I hope the audience can really connect with each piece. The other piece that I’m really looking forward to is Susan Mutter’s “Ages”. This is a piece that takes the listener through a journey of life at different ages for the particular person. And it’s a really powerful piece, because audiences can really connect to the piece based on where they are in life. And I think certain experiences kind of unite us all at various ages. People tend to feel the same feelings and emotions at various points in life, so I think it’s really a cool piece that every audience member can identify with.
Brian Baxter
That’s great. Thank you for sharing that. What’s your preparation like for recital? I think a lot of our audience is curious about what goes into that for you as a professional musician?
Robert Parker
Yeah, sure. So the preparation is, I think, just the same with any other professional musician, where I’m interpreting the music, trying to interpret what the composer wanted and honor their wishes, while also giving my own artistic license with it. And so there’s that. And then, as a brass player, it’s really interesting, because the sound really travels away from us, and we don’t truly get to hear what it sounds like. And so a lot of my preparation is recording myself and listening back at various stages to really try to hear what an audience is going to hear.
Brian Baxter
Yeah, and that’s that’s a great point. As a musician or as an audience member, you don’t necessarily think about the musicians perspective, and they don’t hear it the same way you do. And so that’s, that’s, thankfully we can record things right. The last question I have is, you know your principal trombone with our orchestra? What’s one thing you think would be nice for audience members to know about orchestra musicians that maybe you think they don’t?
Robert Parker
I think sometimes there’s an underestimation of just how vulnerable musicians make themselves when they perform. It’s certainly not an easy thing to do, to dedicate all these hours lifelong pursuit of perfection that doesn’t exist on their instrument, and really open themselves up to the audience in a way that feels very vulnerable and it’s difficult to do at times, but I think all musicians share that, that same desire to make beautiful music, and that’s why we do it so. So, yeah, oftentimes we do feel vulnerable, but that’s why I love it. Yeah. I mean, it’s really putting it out there, and it’s like you have to really train for that to feel good about it.
Brian Baxter
That’s great. Well, join us Saturday, November 1, at the Figgy Air Museum. We’ll feature Robert Parker on our first up close of the season, and Marion Lee will be accompanying piano. So I can’t wait. Yeah, thanks for being here. Thank you.
Beyond the Music: sharing the heartbeat behind the harmony
Beyond the Music: Sharing the Heartbeat behind the Harmony takes you behind the scenes of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra to meet the musicians, staff, and community members who bring the music to life.
Through candid conversations and personal stories, this series explores the passion, people, and purpose that drive every performance, giving you a deeper connection to the symphony and the harmony it creates both on and off the stage.