Lectures and Residencies

Please visit the contact page to book lectures, residencies, and masterclasses or online lectures.

  • Atlantic Music Festival

  • Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar

  • Augustana College

  • Aspen Music Festival and School

  • Christopher Newport University

  • Cleveland Institute of Music

  • College Music Society (CMS) Northeast Chapter (Featured Speaker)

  • Cornell University

  • Curtis Institute of Music

  • Danbury Music Centre

  • Denver University

  • Eastman School of Music, Institute for Music Leadership

  • Florida Gulf Coast University

  • Hartt School, The

  • Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (Featured Guest Composer)

  • Indiana State University (Featured Festival Guest Composer)

  • Ithaca College School of Music

  • James Madison University

  • Keene State College

  • Kutztown University

  • Lafayette College

  • Louisiana State University (LSU)

  • Luzerne Music Center

  • MacDowell Colony, The

  • Middlebury College

  • Middle Tennessee State University

  • Mostly Modern Festival

  • New York University

  • Point Counterpoint: New Music on the Point

  • Regis University

  • Rivers School, The

  • Rocky Ridge Music Center

  • Rutgers University

  • Sarah Lawrence College

  • Syracuse University

  • University of California, Berkeley

  • University of Colorado Boulder

  • University of Houston

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  • University of Texas at Austin: Butler School of Music

  • University of Vermont

  • Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music

  • Vermont College of Fine Arts

  • Walden School, The

  • Western Connecticut State University

  • Yaddo

Quotes

“‘Twas great to have you here! I think that the kids really got a lot out of you and your career path/story.”
— Keith Fitch, Head, Composition Department, The Cleveland Institute of Music
“Rob, thanks so much again for taking the time to meet with the students. That was exactly what I was hoping it would be! Actually, most of them told me afterwards that they learned more in that lunch than in everything else put together that they experienced in their visit to New York City.”
— Jonathan Newman, Composer, Director of Composition & Coordinator of New Music at Shenandoah Conservatory
“The undergrads that attended your master class were so impressed. I struggled to decide if I should require it, (they need such care each week and are so busy), but I am so glad I did. They appreciated your technical advice and bigger observations. You paced it beautifully. They only hear stuff after they trust, and they trust what you said. The combination of your very real professional conversations and astute musical advice made for a wonderful residency. In CF, you challenged students to make a pitch which we attempted to do from day one. A few have gone on to craft their own pitches that you very much inspired with poise and a concise message. We hope to perform more of your music and continue many future collaborations! The LSU composers that have attended MMF and were touched by you this spring have been better for it.”
— Mara Gibson, Composer, Associate Professor Composition, Louisiana State University
“I really appreciate it that you were able to be here to work with our students—we all had a great time performing your music!!!”
— Rob Smith, Composer, Composition Division Head, Director, AURA Contemporary Ensemble, University of Houston
“Robert’s presentation on “Career Success Outside Academia” was energetic, engaging, and highly relevant for our students.”
— Peggy E. Bruns, Interim Director, Entrepreneurship Center for Music at University of Colorado Boulder
“The students got a lot out of your talks and masterclass... I’m also glad we got to program a few of your other pieces—wish we could have done more!”
— Jason Haney, Professor, Composition, James Madison University
“Robert Paterson gave an insightful and good-humored talk for the composition department at Rutgers University. He spoke eloquently about his creative work as well as his philosophy on a career in music, both of which are equally valuable to emerging composers.”
— Scott Ordway, Composer, Assistant Professor of Music in the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University
“Dr. Robert Paterson’s masterclass was not only a fresh disembark from the monotonous rigors of the academy but was also filled with the much-needed information all emerging young artists need to hear. With his untraditional path post-higher education, the lessons and wisdom Dr. Paterson has to share are crucial and uncommon in the music classroom. From his experiences forming his own ensemble, record labels, summer music festivals, and a prolific composition schedule, his masterclass was not just a necessary learning experience but also an inspiring moment for all young composers.”
— Carle Wirshba, Composer, Ph.D. Candidate in Music Composition Department Assistant, Rutgers University
“...you gave me one of the best ‘composing for percussion’ what the hell were you thinking bitch slaps ever! Percussionists love playing my stuff now, and I owe some of it to you and your up front honesty.”
— Scott Good, Composer & Trombonist, Composer-In-Residence, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra