Dr. Robert Hickey

Biography

Robert Hickey currently serves as the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Pennsylvania State University, where he assists with the Penn State Marching Blue Band and directs the Pride Lions Pep Band and Concert Band. His teaching responsibilities encompass all levels of undergraduate conducting and supervising student teachers. Prior to his role at Penn State, Robert was the Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Fairmont State University in West Virginia, where he conducted the marching band, wind ensemble, and jazz band, while also teaching courses in conducting, music education, and music appreciation, with a focus on clarinet instruction. Additionally, Robert has served as an adjunct instructor at Bucknell University and Lycoming College, where he taught studio clarinet and woodwind methods. As a graduate student at Penn State, he held graduate assistantships in Athletic Bands and Concert Bands and was the Assistant Conductor for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. He studied conducting under Dennis Glocke and was a clarinet student of Anthony Costa. Robert was a finalist in the Chamber Music Track at the Temple University Conducting Workshop and has participated in various chamber music projects. In addition to his higher education experience, he has taught in multiple school districts and continues to perform with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra and the Penn Central Wind Band. Robert is also recognized as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Research Interests