GOING SOLO with Robert Dickinson, French Horn

I’ve been in the SBC Orchestra for: 16 years.

My instruments are: French horn (about 12 years), formerly trumpet.

If I hadn’t chosen the French Horn, I probably would have played the: I suppose the bass trombone or contrabass clarinet. I like the low-sounding instruments.

Most people have no idea that I: had dozens of my pictures published in magazines and textbooks about 20 years ago. (Editor's note: For now photography is a hobby--one that he hopes to spend a good deal of time on when he retires. His favorite subjects to photograph are people, landscapes and scenics, and classic cars.)

My favorite worship or praise song is: Blessed Assurance.

My perfect pizza is topped with: cheese & pepperoni, preferably from Streets of New York or Barro’s.

My family consists of: my wife and better half, Theresa, and our ten-year old “puppy”, Chester, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (big name, little dog). (Editor's note: Theresa plays the saxophone and is currently on leave from the orchestra with hopes to return in the fall.)

My life verse is: Proverbs 3:5,6 and II Corinthians 5:17

I’ve lived in AZ for: almost 18 years.

I was born in: Sierra Vista Hospital in San Luis Obispo, CA.

I drink my coffee/tea: no coffee. I like unsweetened ice tea, and I especially like (sweetened) Snapple Raspberry or Peach Ice Tea!!! Yum!!!

My favorite kind of music: my iPod suggests I’m some kind of schizophrenic. I suppose a large orchestra (heavy on the horns and trumpets) playing a cool movie soundtrack.

I almost gave up playing the trumpet when: I was working weird hours at my job in 1993/1994.

My profession: Market Research Analyst (in short, I size up retail and residential areas for optimal business opportunities).

An unfulfilled dream of mine is to: have a full-blown photo studio and know how to use all the equipment like it’s second nature. (Editor's note: When asked a bit more about his favorite subject, Robert had this to say: "Every now and then, I get a perfect shot. It's extremely gratifying (and rare) when I get the subject, composition, perspective, exposure, focus, and depth of field perfect all in one picture. I am sort of a purist. I do very, very little digital enhancing on the computer. I don't believe in spending hours on the computer trying to "fix" a bad picture. Too many photographers rely too much on Photoshop to fix pictures that can't (or shouldn't) be rescued.")