ROBERT ANDERSON

WIND SYMPHONY AND BRASS ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR

Professional pursuits
With over 43 years of teaching experience, maestro Robert Anderson, affectionately known as Bob, has returned to Great Lakes Adventist Academy Music Department to continue raising the standard of excellence.  Under his directorship, the Wind Symphony was brought to soaring new heights from 2005-2007, and he provided a wonderful launching pad for the next band director.  Now, we welcome him back to the family.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Bob has lived a life rich with musical opportunities that have helped to transform countless lives on the high school and college levels. His academic accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science in Education, emphasis in trumpet and clarinet from Union College, and a Master of Music in Education, emphasis in trumpet from Andrews University. He has studied under extraordinary musicians like Claude Gordon, Denis Schneider, and Bill Knevitt. Furthermore, he  spent a summer studying in Vienna, Austria.

Bob has directed many high school bands including those at Madison, Highland, Maplewood, Andrews, Thunderbird, Highlandview, Adelphian, and Shenandoah Academies. On the college level, he taught at Andrews, Southern, LaSierra, and Southwestern University, the last of which he was the chairman of the department. These experiences have grown Bob’s professional dream to have his own professional band.

Other Pursuits
In addition to specializing in brass instruments and ensembles, this vivacious and talented farm boy loves photography, swimming, biking, and triking. His favorite pieces of music are Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, and El Camino Reyal by Alfred Reid. If he were to choose a favorite color, it would be violet. He has been residing in Idaho, his dream residence, and would love to visit Hawaii again.

Vision
“I want to make Wind Symphony the best high-school Wind Symphony there is. Through hard work, I would like for us to record, and start a brass band. It is also my desire to get the kids excited, and inspire them to do great work and play wonderful music for the churches. I’m very excited about passing on my own Christian values and the love of Christ to the kids. That is my ultimate goal.”