Instructor, Music

romericus@gmail.com

Biography

Robert Benton is an impressive talent in the new generation of euphonium performers. After a four year tour of duty with the 82^nd Airborne Division Band in the US Army, he pursued his undergraduate degree from Oakland University in Michigan where he studied with Dr. Kenneth Kroesche. Graduating magna cum laude in 2007, Robert then earned a Master’s degree as a low brass specialist at Michigan State University, with Phil Sinder. He is currently completing his doctoral work in both euphonium and tuba at the University of Michigan with Fritz Kaenzig.

Robert’s performance opportunities as a soloist have taken him across the United States, Canada, and in recent years, to Europe and Asia. In 2008 he was invited to play in recital at the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Washington D.C. Robert is a versatile soloist, having recently performed concerti with groups such as the MSU Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, as well as the Capitol City Brass Band and his U.S. Army reserve unit, the 338^th Army Band. Recently he was invited to play baritone with the world-renowned Brass Band of Battle Creek.

Robert garners accolades and honors wherever he goes, having won concerto several concerto competitions at both Oakland University and Michigan State. In 2005, he was awarded an undergraduate research grant to prepare and participate in the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference Solo Competition. In 2006, Robert received Oakland University’s Stanley Hollingsworth Overseas Summer Study Grant, which sent him to Manchester, England to study with renowned euphonium legend Steven Mead. More recently, he travelled to South Korea and competed in the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival Brass Competition, where he was a finalist.