Robert Parker is Principal Trombonist of Orchestra Iowa, Principal Trombone of the Quad City Symphony, and Second Trombone of the Des Moines Symphony. An avid educator, Robert serves on the faculties at Drake University, Grinnell College, and Kirkwood Community College. As a soloist, he has performed recitals and presented masterclasses at universities and high school music programs in Iowa and numerous other states.
Robert completed the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree at the University of Iowa in 2018, where he studied trombone with David Gier and Jonathan Allen, and tuba/euphonium with John Manning. His doctoral research addressed the trombone quartet genre, including its history, performance practices, and pedagogy. At the University of Iowa, he led the Iowa Trombone Choir as Music Director. Robert also completed his MM in trombone performance at Florida State University, and a BM in music education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His teachers include David Gier, John Drew, Jonathan Allen, and Randy Kohlenberg.