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Robert Parker has a B.A. in Percussion performance from the University of Akron under the instruction of Larry Snider and Matthew Dudack, a member of the famed Akros Percussion Collective. His main composition teachers include Nikola Resanovic, and Daniel McCarthy. As a composer and artist, it is my ultimate goal to have music be an integral part of our society. Culture is something that keeps people united, it keeps us aware of who we are and where we came from. In order to know where we are, it is important to know where we have been. I feel that by combining the old ways with a new broader understanding of our world, we can create a culture that is significantly more unique. The composer is first a listener and performer before he or she is a composer. Like I said before, you cannot know where to go unless you know where you have been. A composer cannot listen just to music, but must listen carefully to other things; only then can the composer see what is needed. It is up to the listener to determine what fails and what succeeds. We are all listeners first. My music is influenced by many different composers such as: Morton Feldman, Arvo Pärt, Stuart Saunders Smith, and John Cage. My music emphasizes the importance of space, silence, and the disambiguation of time. Silence is a powerful and recurring force that, when used effectively, can be balanced in equilibrium not just with time, but also with space. I use different combinations of instruments to realize the endless possibilities for sonic landscapes. The works themselves represent emotions and our responses to them, such as: friendship, beauty, fear, anger, or any of the infinite mixes of emotions. Being a percussionist myself, the existence of my craft was endowed to those who sparked new ideas and sounds. Being introduced to the percussion music of Cage, Xenakis, Varèse, Stuart Saunders Smith, and many other composers of the twentieth century, heavily influenced my music. I have an eclectic attitude toward different styles and genres of music. The improvisatory nature of many of my pieces allow them to be interpreted in many different ways. Giving power to the individual performers is very important to me. Therefore, my works are very free and open to limitless interpretations. With each of my works being individually realized, every performance is different and holds a different meaning for the composer, performer, and always, the listener.

1993 Sedro St

Cuyahoga Falls ,OH

44221

 

 330 618 5258

 

reparker11@gmail.com

  http://www.amc.net/RobertParker

Education

 

(2004 - 2006) Studied Percussion with Mell Csicsila, Percussionist with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra

 

(2006 - 2011) Graduate from The University of Akron - Akron, OH

B.A. of Music with an emphasis on Percussion Performance

Studied with Dr. Larry Snider and Matthew Dudack in Percussion

 

(2009) Studied with Dr. Daniel McCarthy in Composition

 

(2009 - 2010) Studied with Dr. Guy Bordo in Conducting

 

(2009 - present) Studied with Dr. Nikola Resanovic in Composition

 

(June 2009, 2011-present) Studied with Prof. Philip Thomson in Piano

 

Performing Experience

 

(2005 - 2011) Performed with the University of Akron Steel Drum Band, and University of Akron Percussion Ensembles, New Music Ensemble, Concert Band, Summer Symphonic Band, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Choir, Summer Brass Choir, Marching Band, Concert Choir,  African Drumming Ensemble, and Brazilian Percussion Ensemble

(2008 - 2011)Performed with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in “Rhythm of the Orchestra” Outreach series - Richmond, IN

 

(2009, 2011) Junior and Senior Percussion recitals

 

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

 

Percussion instructor at Eastlake North High School - Willoughby,OH

 

(2007 - 2010) Band camp percussion instructor for Tallmadge High School - Tallmadge,OH

 

Band camp front ensemble instructor at Valley Forge High School - Parma,OH

 

(2008 - 2011) Percussion instructor for Cloverleaf High School Marching Band - Lodi,OH

 

Honors

 

(2006)          John Philip Sousa Band Award

 

(2009)          Outstanding Undergraduate Student Percussion Award

 

 

PROJECTS

(February - April 2010) ‘Forgetfulness’ a collaboration of musician and dancers based on the poem “Forgetfulness” by Billy Collins with recorded reading and video.A structured improvisation of dance and music performed at the University of  Akron as part of the University of Akron’s New Music Festival and “Spring into Dance!” events.

 

 

DISCOGRAPHY

 

University of Akron Steel Drum Band. Hammer on Steel. 

Matthew Dudack, Artistic Director. 

copyright 2011 Roc Doc Productions/University of Akron 

Produced in cooperation with Western Reserve Public Media

 

 

ORGANIZATIONS

 

American Music Center, member since 2009

 

 

 

STATEMENT AND GOALS

As a composer and artist, it is my ultimate goal to have music be an integral part of our society. Culture is something that keeps people united, it keeps us aware of who we are and where we came from. In order to know where we are, it is important to know where we have been. I feel that by combining the old ways with a new broader understanding of our world, we can create a culture that is significantly more unique.

The composer is first a listener and performer before he or she is a composer. Like I said before, you cannot know where to go unless you know where you have been. A composer cannot listen just to music, but must listen carefully to other things; only then can the composer see what is needed. It is up to the listener to determine what fails and what succeeds.  We are all listeners first.

My music is influenced by many different composers such as:  Morton Feldman, Arvo Pärt, Stuart Saunders Smith, and John Cage. My music emphasizes the importance of space, silence, and the disambiguation of time. Silence is a powerful and recurring force that, when used effectively, can be balanced in equilibrium not just with time, but also with space. I use different combinations of instruments to realize the endless possibilities for sonic landscapes. The works themselves represent emotions and our responses to them, such as: friendship, beauty, fear, anger, or any of the infinite mixes of emotions. 

Being a percussionist myself, the existence of my craft was endowed to those who sparked new ideas and sounds. Being introduced to the percussion music of Cage, Xenakis, Varèse, Stuart Saunders Smith, and many other composers of the twentieth century, heavily influenced my music.

I have an eclectic attitude toward different styles and genres of music. The improvisatory nature of many of my pieces allow them to be interpreted in many different ways. Giving power to the individual performers is very important to me. Therefore, my works are very free and open to limitless interpretations. With each of my works being individually realized, every performance is different and holds a different meaning for the composer, performer, and always, the listener.

 

 

LIST OF COMPOSITIONS

 

Song of Stillness - for solo Marimba  2009

 

Love Thy Neighbor... - for solo Viola  2009

 

Inner - for solo Oboe  2009

composed for Michael Resanovic

 

Everything in Between - for Alto Saxophone and Vibraphone  2010-2011

 

As I Sit, the Silence Deafens Me Until I can No Longer Bear- for 2 sopranos, 2 

mezzo-sopranos, 2 percussion, and string quintet  2010-2011 

 

Walking with Beautiful Things- solo Double-bass  2011

 

Expanse- for piano quartet and 2 percussion  2011