Robert W. Rumbelow Program Biographies and Press

Conductor and composer Robert Rumbelow’s passionate music-making, teaching, composition, and creativity inspires audiences, fellow musicians, and students of all levels throughout the world. He has held conducting posts in Texas, New York, Georgia, Illinois, and Poland while keeping an active guest conducting schedule internationally. As a conductor of wind bands, orchestras, contemporary ensembles, and opera, Dr. Rumbelow brings an amazing understanding of music and movement which he communicates in a unique and meaningful way creating memorable experiences for both musicians and audiences alike. His conducting has been heralded as “joyful, elegant, informed, and exciting” among other superlatives. As winner of several conducting awards including the Walter Hagen Conducting Prize and the Sir Georg Solti Award, Rumbelow is known as a dynamic performer eliciting amazing musicianship from his ensembles. Maestro Rumbelow has worked with some of the world's most acclaimed soloists and composers, giving the world premieres of many important compositions. As a composer and arranger, Rumbelow's music is performed internationally, and is published by Kjos, Warner Brothers, Alfred, Ludwig, Masters, C. Alan Publications, RBC, JW Pepper and R2 Music Press. As a conductor he has recorded multiple projects on the Summit and Naxos labels, and as a composer his music has been broadcast on all major networks worldwide include NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, NPR, NHK Japan, Polskie Radio, and the BBC among others. He earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Conducting is from the Eastman School of Music, the Master of Music Education, Master of Music in Conducting, and Bachelor of Music Performance degrees from Texas Tech University. Dr. Rumbelow is currently the principal conductor of the wind orchestra at the Frederic Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland and Fine Arts Consultant/Director in Texas. His active and diverse schedule as conductor, composer, educator, and consultant demonstrate Dr. Rumbelow’s ongoing passion and impact in the world of music.

(updated 01.01.21)

Conductor and composer Robert Rumbelow’s passionate music-making, teaching, composition, and creativity has inspired audiences, fellow musicians, and students of all levels throughout the world for over 30 years. He has held conducting posts in Texas, New York, Georgia, Illinois, and Poland while keeping an active guest conducting schedule throughout the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Europe. Rumbelow is currently the wind orchestra conductor at the Frederic Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland. As a conductor of wind bands, orchestras, contemporary ensembles, and opera, Dr. Rumbelow brings an amazing understanding of music and movement which he communicates in a unique and meaningful way creating memorable experiences for both musicians and audiences alike. His conducting has been heralded as “joyful, elegant, informed, and exciting” among other superlatives. As winner of several conducting awards including the Walter Hagen Conducting Prize and the Sir Georg Solti Award, Rumbelow is known as a dynamic performer eliciting amazing musicianship from his ensembles in both performances and rehearsals. 

Classically trained at the renowned Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, Dr. Rumbelow had already distinguished himself as an outstanding teacher, performer on trumpet and piano, and was regarded equally adept in jazz, contemporary, pop and classical music. His Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Conducting is from the Eastman School, and he also earned Master of Music Education, Master of Music in Conducting, and Bachelor of Music Performance degrees from Texas Tech University. 

In his higher education teaching career, he has been a tenured full professor at both Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music and the University of Illinois where he conducted wind ensembles, orchestras, and operas. He also taught graduate and undergraduate conducting, and various related classes including score analysis, literature/repertoire, and orchestration. Maestro Rumbelow’s years as a successful professional speaks clearly about his commitment to the arts and education. His experience teaching in public schools and background in music education is also a matter of record having re-established highest state awarded programs at small, medium, and large Texas public schools after a single year at each. His university-level program success is evidenced by many tours, recordings, conference performances, national and international conducting engagements, outstanding recruiting teamwork, and many former students conducting and performing around the world.

Maestro Rumbelow has recorded seven internationally released recording projects on the Summit and Naxos labels, in addition to a YouTube recording release entitled “Trumpet Luminaries” featuring some of the top trumpet professionals in the world. He has also worked with some of the world’s finest soloists in performances and recordings including John Bruce Yeh (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), Joseph Alessi (New York Philharmonic), Jens Lindeman (former Canadian Brass), and dozens of others. As a proponent of new music, Dr. Rumbelow has conducted over 40 world premiere performances and recordings. Among these, are Maciej Malecki’s Darkness and Light (written for Rumbelow), Pulitzer Prize Winner Aaron Jay Kernis’ trumpet concerto a voice, a messenger featuring Philip Smith (New York Philharmonic), and Christopher Theofanidis’ I wander the world in a dream of my own making just to name a few of the amazing premieres, recordings, and composers. 

As a composer and arranger, Dr. Rumbelow’s music is performed internationally. While his background is firmly rooted in classical music, his passion for contemporary music coupled with a background in jazz has allowed his compositional voice to create a varied repertoire. His music is published by Kjos, Warner Brothers, Alfred, Ludwig, Masters, C. Alan Publications, RBC, and JW Pepper. Select compositions and arrangements are also self published through R2 Music Press and available through Rumbelow’s website. His music has been broadcast on all major networks worldwide including NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, NPR, NHK Japan, Polskie Radio, and the BBC among others. 

(updated 01.01.21)