Dr. Childs' status as a professional musician encompasses many fields of music making. He is Director of Brass Band Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama; Musical Director of both the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and the famous Cory Band; a founder and Director of Doyen Recordings Ltd, Performing Arts Education Ltd. and Prima Vista Musikk Ltd.; a Trustee and advisor to the Harry Mortimer Trust; a tutor and council member to the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain; and a world renowned euphonium soloist. 

Robert conducted and performed with the Yorkshire-based Black Dyke Band for almost ten years and before that he played under Elgar Howarth with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. During this time he also gave numerous solo recitals and made guest appearances as a euphonium soloist with leading orchestras, wind orchestras and brass bands throughout the world. He has performed in the Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Grieg Hall; and has given concerto performances in the Royal Festival Hall and Sydney Opera House. In1985 Robert was awarded the coveted title 'International Euphonium Player of the Year' and together with his brother Nicholas is regarded as one of the finest euphonium players of his generation.

In May 2000, Robert was delighted to accept an invitation to become the Professional Musical Director of the Cory Band from the Rhondda in South Wales, thus re-uniting him with Wales and associating him with the band he has held in such high esteem since he was a boy. In a short space of time Robert revitalised brass banding in Wales by steering his new band to win the British Open Championship, the National Championship and runner-up at the European Championship in a single season.

In December, 2002, Robert was awarded a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Salford. Robert is also an Associate of the Royal College of Music, a Fellow of the London College of Music and gained a distinction in a Masters Degree from the University of Leeds. He holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the Open University and as an education specialist Robert frequently delivers master classes at Universities and music institutions at home and abroad.