Dr. Robin Dauer - Spring 2000

Born: January 5, 1951

Schooling: Undergraduate: Miami University, Oxford, OH. Bachelors of Arts in Classical Humanities and Music, 1973. Graduate: Masters of Music at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Wind Conducting and Horn, 1978. Doctor of Musical Arts at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Horn and Music History, 1994.

Teachers: High School: AC Myers, Cincinnati Symphony, 3rd horn. Undergraduate: Nicholas Poccia, Miami University. Graduate: AC Myers and Mike Hatfield, Cincinnati Symphony, Principal Horn. Also natural horn study with Lowell Greer.

Professional Orchestras Played In: I've performed in a lot of ensembles over the years, including some extra work with the Atlanta Symphony while I was in North Carolina, and the Cincinnati Symphony while in graduate school. I've also performed with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, the West Virginia Symphony, the Richmond (IN) Symphony, and the Asheville Symphony in North Carolina. Band work has included the U.S. Continental Army Band in Ft. Monroe, VA and the American Wind Symphony. I've also played some tenor horn (alto horn) in brass bands, including the Smokey Mountains Brass Band in North Carolina and occasionally with the Solid Brass in Little Rock. Of course, my main orchestra now is the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Gutsiest Move: I guess that would have to be my first college teaching job. I was in summer school and finishing up my Masters when a part-time (80%) horn position opened up late at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. I sent my credentials and tape and was actually hired without a formal interview. The final phone conversation ran something to the effect: "You're the one we want. Can you be here in two weeks?" I finished up my academic affairs, threw my horn, some music, some clothes, and a sleeping bag into the trunk of my car and drove down. I needed a BIG map just to find the place. I wound up staying there for five years and going full time as the Assistant Band Director. That turned out to the be move that got me into the college teaching profession.

When and where did you start the horn? What made you want to go into music: I actually started band on flute in the 5th or 6th grade and was a pretty average player. At the end of our freshman year, the band director gave some of us these little King front-bell alto horns to learn over the summer and play in the marching band the next fall. I liked playing a brass instrument, so when they asked us to switch to French horn for concert season, it was a natural move. By senior year, I was first chair, and playing horn was what I wanted to do.

What are you doing now and where are you headed: I'm currently Assistant Professor of Horn at Arkansas State University, and second horn in the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. I'm working on the release of my second CD, "Horn Americana" and trying to keep as active as possible, both on the horn and in general.

Tell us something about yourself that people might be surprised to hear: I guess the thing that seems to surprise people the most is my age. I have to stop and think about it myself, and then I'm still not sure I believe it! I guess I'm just young at heart.

Back to Area Hornist Profiles