Background
Orr, Robin Kemsley was born on June 2, 1909 in Brechin, Scotland. Son of Robert Workman and Florence Mary (Kemsley) Orr.
Orr, Robin Kemsley was born on June 2, 1909 in Brechin, Scotland. Son of Robert Workman and Florence Mary (Kemsley) Orr.
Student, Royal College Music, London, 1929. Bachelor of Music, Bachelor, Cambridge University, 1932. Studied with Casella, Italy, 1934.
Master of Arts, Cambridge University, 1938. Studies with Boulanger, France, 1938. Doctor of Music, Cambridge University, 1949.
Doctor of Music (honorary), University Glasgow, Scotland, 1972. Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Dundee, Scotland, 1976.
Following studies with Alfredo Casella and Nadia Boulanger he returned to Cambridge in 1938 as Organist of Street John"s College. During his war service Herbert Howells deputized for him. After World World War II he became a lecturer at Cambridge and a professor at the Royal College of Music, then Gardiner Professor of Music at Glasgow University from 1956 to 1965.
He returned to Cambridge in 1965 as Professor of Music, a post he held until his retirement in 1976 (later Emeritus).
He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1972.
Fellow Royal College Music, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
Married Margaret Ellen Mace, December 29, 1937 (divorced 1979). Children: Alison, David, Jean (deceased). Married Doris Ruth Winny-Meyer, July 14, 1979.
