Robert Howard
RobertHowardMusic.com
roberthowardmusic@gmail.com
Robert Howard (Ott) is a musician and award winning composer who is a native Californian who also grew up in Wisconsin. Robert attended Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music where he graduated with honors in 1984. His Bachelors of Music in Voice Performance was leading toward a vocal career until his instrument was compromised by medications needed for a chronic health condition. Notating compositions and reading music is an ongoing challenge when one is dyslexic and this is another disability Rob manages to work around.
Robert turned to creating music in order to heal himself and find meaning in our challenging world. His premiere album “Sound Offering” contains 14 original contemplative, reverent solo works for piano. Robert Howard has won two awards in connection to this debut. (1) an Individual Artist award from NADC at UCLA and California Arts Council and (2) from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Musicians Relief Fund for his compositions which honor “American Roots Music Traditions” including spirituals and hymns.
Rob is open to collaboration with other artists. He has a keen interest in film/video projects and nonprofit organizations, especially those that assist in equal rights and humanitarian causes. Feel free to contact the composer at his website or email listed above if his music is of interest for your project.
”In Quiet” / Sound Offering / by Robert Howard • Composer & Piano
Education:
Lawrence University, Conservatory of Music, Appleton, WI
Bachelors of Music - Voice Performance, honors graduate, 1984
Santa Rosa Junior College - Digital audio and Piano Practicum, current study
Professional Performances and Awards:
| 09/2019 | Sonoma County Art Trails - 35th Anniversary Opening Gala |
| 04/2020 | Virtual Easter Recital of original music and music videos |
| 06/2020 | Individual Artist-Art and Accessibility Award California Arts Council and National Arts Disability Center at UCLA. |
| 07/2020 | California Humanities Grant Award |
| 08/2020 | Cultural Center for Innovation Grant Award |
| 09/2020 | Alliance for California Traditional Arts & Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Artist Relief Grant |
| 10/2020 | Transgender Day of Remembrance Presentation Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA. GLBT+ Presidential Advisory Committee hosts online event featuring R. Howard’s music. |
| 02/2021 | California Small Business Grant Award |
| 05/2021 | St. John’s United Methodist Church, Good Friday Meditation featuring 5 pieces from “Sound Offering” and premiere of new work “Lamentation”. Second annual Holy Week recital offering shared with UMC congregations nationwide. |
Artistic Discipline:
Music composition, solo piano recording and performance artist. Music video graphic concepts. Classical voice/choral, musical theatre, opera, sacred music background.
Disability type:
Chronic Health condition (HIV+ over 35 years) and lifelong Learning Disability (dyslexia)
