Robert Rumbelow

Director of Bands and
Brownfield Professor of Music
(effective January 1, 2010)

B.M., M.M. (conducting), and M.M.E., Texas Tech University; DMA (conducting), Eastman School of Music

Dr. Robert W. Rumbelow became only the fifth Director of Bands at the University of Illinois since the position was created in 1903. As director of the most historic band program in the nation, Dr. Rumbelow has an amazing respect for the past and an inspired vision for the future. His responsibilities for the Band Division are to manage the band staff and faculty of assistant conductors, conduct the University of Illinois Wind Symphony (the premiere concert ensemble in the division), and oversee and participate in all aspects of the band program (athletic and concert) from curriculum, to finances, to advancement, and recruiting. Dr. Rumbelow and his team of professionals take their responsibilities to students, colleagues, alumni, and friends of the Illinois Bands very seriously and work diligently to provide the finest educational experience for all students in the band program as well as setting national standards for the profession at large.

Dr. Rumbelow finished his fourteenth year as Conductor and Director of Wind Ensemble Activities at Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music (GA) before assuming his post at the University of Illinois. During his tenure at CSU, the school of music and band program prospered greatly in every measurable way including providing significant leadership in the band profession through highly respected recording projects with international distribution on the Summit and Naxos labels, collaborations with some of the world’s most inspired musicians, thirteen annual conductors workshops featuring the finest faculty collections in the world serving participants from 41 states and five foreign countries, many important commissions and premieres, as well as other advancements to support student educational experiences, high musical standards, and support of the university at large.

Rumbelow has served as guest conductor, clinician, arranger, composer, and lecturer throughout the U.S. and abroad. He has received several notable accolades including national and international conducting prizes and critical praise for both his orchestral and wind band performances internationally. NPR commonly broadcasts performances under the baton of Dr. Rumbelow, and his ensembles have received widespread respect for live performances at many statewide and national conferences, as well as their commercial recordings. Rumbelow has also spearheaded many notable commissions and consortia including premieres of works by Christopher Theofanidis, Shafer Mahoney, J.M. David, Dorothy Chang, and many others. His collaborations with artists such as Joseph Alessi, John Bruce Yeh, Chris Martin, Phil Smith, and other top artists have demonstrated his belief in the highest professional standards within the educational experience. Rumbelow’s own compositions and arrangements are performed throughout the world, and published by Kjos, Ludwig/Masters, Warner Brothers, and Alfred Music Publishers. His works have been broadcast on NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, NPR, BBC, and NHK Japan. Dr. Rumbelow has received many noteworthy commissions, and has also authored articles and chapters within various publications.

Teaching Philosophy

“Six Educational Guide Posts” toward the future:

1. Provide an internationally respected environment with proper facilities, equipment, instruction, and experiences to serve every student (major or non-major) involved in the University of Illinois Band Program of the 21st Century.

2. Be a viable world leader in the contemporary preparation of music professionals in the 21st Century.

3. Create professional level results in all areas while nurturing increasingly high standards in service as a world leader in performance and education.

4. Connect with alumni, audiences, patrons, and the band profession in ways that encourage participation in continuing the most impressive legacy in the band world.

5. Secure the University of Illinois Bands as a world leader and innovator for the future, while providing an appropriate home and research facility for students from everywhere to learn about Illinois, U.S., and International band history.

6. Provide the University of Illinois with the finest model of service and spirit in the nation.