Dr. Robert Gardner

Biography

Robert Gardner is a bassist, conductor, and composer with experience in a wide variety of musical genres. He has served on the music education faculty of the Penn State School of Music since 2003, specializing in stringed instrument playing and teaching, orchestral conducting, and eclectic styles for string ensembles. Gardner has written chapters and articles for various publications and has presented at conferences and workshops across the country. His research focuses on the supply and demand for music teachers in American public schools, particularly the status of string programs in K-12 schools. He has pieces and arrangements for string orchestra available through Alfred Publishers. Robert received his bachelor's degree in music education from Ohio State University, and both his M.A. and Ph.D. in music education from the Eastman School of Music. Before joining the faculty at Penn State, he served as an orchestra director and instructor in several public school districts in Ohio and New York. Additionally, Gardner has been the music director for youth orchestras at the Hochstein School of Music and a guest conductor for honors ensembles. He has designed and directed programs for adult learners in eclectic styles for string ensembles. Robert has also served as chairperson for the Alternative Styles Task Force for the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and as president of the Pennsylvania-Delaware chapter of ASTA (PADESTA).

Research Interests