Rob Bryant
Clinician, show designer, guest conductor
Biographical Info
BIO FOR ROB BRYANT
Rob Bryant is a retired music educator that currently works as a clinician, show designer, consultant, guest conductor and adjudicator. He most recently served as Director of Athletic Bands at Vanderbilt University (2015-2016) where his duties included rehearsing and designing for the Spirit of Gold Marching Band as well as other athletic bands. He also conducted the Vanderbilt Community Concert Band and served as an adjunct faculty member teaching courses at the Blair School of Music and Western Kentucky University.
Mr. Bryant retired as the Director of Bands at Madisonville North Hopkins High School, Madisonville, KY in June of 2013 where he completed his 27th year as a music educator. There, he directed the marching band (8-time KMEA Class AAAA State Marching Band Champion), and the symphonic band, which appeared as the Featured Showcase Ensemble in the 2012 New York Wind Band Festival in the historic Carnegie Hall. The ensemble world premiered Pasodobles para Santa Cecilia y los Heroes de Espana by Stephen Melillo, who later included the band as a Cameo Guest Artist on his Chapter 21: Won Way album which received Grammy nominations in 6 categories. The band recorded Sieben Gluckliche Jahre which, along with the entire album, is available on iTunes.
Mr. Bryant most recently was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity Psi Chapter Hall of Fame (February 2019). In October of 2012 Mr. Bryant received a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association. He was also the 2008 KMEA District Two Teacher of the Year and received the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Jessamine County School System in 1999. His marching bands have accumulated 9 KMEA State Marching Band Championships, 17 KMEA State Marching Band State Finalist appearances (top 4 placements), and over 50 Grand Championship Titles including being a 6-time Grand Champion of the prestigious Murray State University Festival of Champions.
Mr. Bryant holds a Master of Music degree from Austin Peay State University (1988) and a Bachelor of Music degree from Western Kentucky University (1985). He continues to be in demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, clinician and drill designer having designed shows for over 50 bands across 5 states and adjudicated numerous marching and concert festivals in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and South Carolina. Also, an avid bass fisherman, he regularly competes in regional level tournaments and is a staff writer for Bass Angler Magazine with over 100 articles published nationwide.