Dr. Robert Stright was the Percussion Instructor with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Band for six years between 1983 and 1991. In the middle of that time, he took two years off to live in Kuwait, where he and his wife Anne, taught at an American School and traveled extensively.
Robert completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition in 1992. His final composition at UW, entitled Arabia, was performed by the UW Symphonic Band. His compositions for percussion are published by Ludwig Music.
Robert has remained an active performer on the vibraphone, having studied and performed with Joe Lovano, Victor Lewis, James Spaulding, Wynton Marsalis and others. He has recorded numerous jazz CD's, including two discs with Madison's own Scott Fields Ensemble which has received international critical acclaim. Jazziz Magazine calls Robert Stright a "brilliant, original vibist."
Since moving to Bloomington, Indiana in 1995, Dr. Stright has taught at Butler University and Purdue University, and continued to perform frequently throughout the region. Anne is a professor in the School of Education at Indiana University. They have a two-year-old son, Sam, and another baby due in September of 2001.
It has not escaped Robert's attention that in the decade since he left UW, the Band has gone to countless bowl games, Packer games, a Final Four, etc... Dr. Stright is filled with envy.