Robert D. Gardner, PhD

Dr. Gardner is interested in investigating how instrument quality affects assessment practices, how pre-service teachers actually utilize their preparation time, and how personality types affect the career paths and success of music teachers.

B.S. in Music Education—Ohio State University
M.A. in Music Education—Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester)
Ph.D. in Music Education—Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester)

Invited, Featured Clinician, String Teacher Workshop. Sponsored by the Minnesota chapter (MNSOTA) of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). Gave several professional development presentations on August 5, 2022, at the All-State event in St. Joseph, MN.

Invited Conductor, Michigan All-State Orchestra, hosted by Michigan Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA). Conducted advanced HS symphony orchestra musicians from Michigan from January 28-30, 2022, including the performance at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids.

Gardner, R. D. (2021). “Ardor and Empathy Eternal.” Unpublished piece for string orchestra. Commissioned by the Highland School District (Medina, OH). Rehearsed with the 6-12 orchestra students of the Highland Schools, and performed the piece on two concerts in May 2021.

Gardner, R. D. (2020). Extending the Discussion: Intonation pedagogy for bowed string instruments, Part 2. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 38(3), 58-62. doi: 10.11.77/8755123319899498

Gardner, R. D. (2020). Extending the Discussion: Intonation pedagogy for bowed string instruments, Part 1. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 38(2), 55-58. doi: 10.11.77/8755123319893219

Invited Conductor, South Carolina All-State Orchestra, hosted by South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA). Rehearsed and conducted advanced HS string orchestra musicians from South Carolina from February 22-24, 2019, in Columbia, SC.

Invited, Featured Clinician, Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Professional Development Conference. Gave four presentations during the conference from January 30 to February 1, 2020, in Cincinnati, OH.

Invited Conductor, Florida All-State Orchestra, hosted by Florida Orchestra Association (FOA). Rehearsed and conducted advanced MS string orchestra musicians from Florida from January 9-12, 2019, in Tampa, FL.

Breakthrough. Original piece for string orchestra. Unpublished. Premiere performed by the string orchestra on the Partners in Music concert on November, 7, 2019, at State College Area High School.

In July, 2020, I will be conducting and teaching at two workshops for adult amateur string musicians (http://www.stringcamp.com/) in Rochester, NY, and Bel Air, MD.

I will also be conducting the Michigan All-State honors orchestra in Grand Rapids, MI, January 28-30, 2021.

Robert Gardner is a bassist, conductor, and composer with experience in a wide variety of musical genres. He has served on the faculty of the Penn State School of Music since 2003, where he is an associate professor of music education, specializing in stringed instrument playing and teaching, orchestral conducting, and alternative styles for string ensembles. Gardner has written chapters and articles in various publications, including Arts Education Policy Review and American String Teacher, and has given presentations at conferences and workshops throughout the country. His research has focused on the nature of improvisation and composition, as well as the supply and demand of American public school music teachers. Several of his pieces and arrangements for string orchestra are available through Alfred Publishers. Robert received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Ohio State University and his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in music education from the Eastman School of Music. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State, he served as orchestra director and instructor for public school districts in Ohio and New York. Gardner was also music director for two youth orchestras at the Hochstein School of Music and has been guest conductor for many honors ensembles. He has designed and directed programs for adult learners and alternative styles for string ensembles. Robert has served as chairperson of the Alternative Styles Task Force for the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and as president of the Pennsylvania Delaware chapter of ASTA (PADESTA).