John Robbs, a senior art history major, has been selected to perform with the 2015 National Small College/Community College Intercollegiate Band. The intercollegiate band will practice and perform March 25-28 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

“I was surprised when I heard I was accepted,” Robbs said. “Then I was excited. Then I was surprised again.”

Applicants for the intercollegiate group must be recommended by a band director. Robbs was nominated by Director of Bands Frank Perez.

“John is a wonderful percussion player,” Perez said. “I had the feeling that he has not had the opportunity to try something like this. He has the skills to perform at this level.”

Robbs started playing drums at a young age when his mother bought him a pair of drum sticks and a marching cymbal at a garage sale. From there, he started taking private drum lessons in the sixth grade.

Throughout high school, Robbs performed in a number of rock bands including his classic rock cover band Gopher Philosophy, the pop punk group Custom With a K, and the progressive rock group Flight. His current group is another progressive rock band named Dirigible Squared.

At Baker, Robbs has been a member of Baker’s Symphonic Band, Musical Pit Band, Brass Quintet, Jazz Band and the Percussion Ensemble.

“The Percussion Ensemble has really improved my abilities,” Robb said. “The literature is significantly more difficult than band literature. It has really stretched my playing abilities and developed my set playing.”

Senior Michael Sturm has performed with John Robbs in multiple bands and ensembles, including Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Gopher Philosophy.

“I would describe his style as fluid and technical,” Sturm said. “He has great independence for each of his limbs, so he is able to create complex rhythms. In Jazz band, the rhythm section is essential, and the drums are at the heart of it.”

Robbs hopes to be able to play music professionally after college.

“I am going to take the time and see if music will work before I take on a full time job,” Robbs said. “If I could make ends meet by playing music, then I would be content.”