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Robert Shafer (conductor)

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Robert John Shafer, Jr. (born January 1, 1946[1]) is an American conductor[2], classical composer[3], educator[4], and church musician. He has served as Artistic Director of the City Choir of Washington since its launch in September 2007.[5][6]

Early Life

Shafer was born on January 1, 1946 in Mooresville, N.C., the son of Col. Robert J. Shafer, USAF (Ret). He started studying piano at age 5. Shafer moved with his parents to Germany in 1951, where they were stationed as part of the United States Air Force. His family settled in Vienna, VA in 1954. Shafer graduated from James Madison High School and returned to teach there after college.

Education

Shafer majored in piano performance and earned a B.M. and an M.M. from The Catholic University of America[7]. He studied music composition and conducting for nine summers with Nadia Boulanger at Le Conservatoire Américain, France.

Career Highlights

Shafer's work at James Madison High School][4] in Virginia attracted national attention, especially for his leading a first-rate madrigal group. He remained on its faculty from 1968 to 1975. From 1972 to 2007, Shafer was music director of The Washington Chorus[8], a leading choral ensemble in the U.S. capital. When he served as music director of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, he composed and conducted a setting of Tu es Petrus in honor of Pope John Paul’s 1979 visit to Washington, D.C. In 1983, Shafer was appointed artist-in-residence and professor of music at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA.

Compositions

  • Lux Aeterna, WETA 90.9 FM, Performance Debut: April 2009.[3]

    • Recordings

  • DVORAK. Stabat Mater. Soloists Christine Brewer, Marietta Simpson, John Aler and Chinese-born baritone Ding Gao. The Washington Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Robert Shafer. Naxos. 8.555301-02 (2 CDs).[9][10]

    • Awards

    Shafer won first prize in composition at Le Conservatoire Américain in 1969. In February 2000, he was honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences with a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance for a live concert recording of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem.[11] In 1989, Shafer was honored by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia with an Outstanding Faculty Award[12] for his outstanding public service, research, and teaching.

    References

    1. ^ Robert Shafer - Classical Archives. Retrieved: November 20, 2011.
    2. ^ Stevenson, Joseph. "Robert Shafer Biography", AllMusic. Retrieved 20 Nov 2011.
    3. ^ a b "WETA Conversations: Robert Shafer", April 14, 2009. Retrieved: November 20, 2011. Excerpt: "The program will feature the world premiere of a new work by Robert Shafer, Lux Aeterna."
    4. ^ a b "The Green Room: The Choir Boys", By Erica R. Hendry, editor, Vienna Patch, Vienna, Virginia, January 20, 2011. Retrieved: November 20, 2011.
    5. ^ Tidyman, Kathryn. "Robert Shafer Named Artistic Director of New Chorus", U.S. Newswire, September 4, 2007.
    6. ^ Page, Tim. "A Musical Reprise for Robert Shafer," The Washington Post, September 1, 2007. Excerpt: "Robert Shafer has been named artistic director of the City Choir of Washington..."
    7. ^ Faculty Bio, Shenandoah University. Excerpt: "Professor of Music (Choirs), Artist in Residence, Vocal-Choral Division." Retrieved November 20, 2011.
    8. ^ "Robert Shafer bio", The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
    9. ^ "Dvorak," The Sunday Times, October 20, 2002.
    10. ^ Robert Shafer- Bio, Albums, Pictures., Naxos Classical Music catalog. Retrieved: November 20, 2011.
    11. ^ "Rock Legend Captures 10 Grammy Nods; Carlos Santana Picks Way to Top of Music Heap," Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio), January 5, 2000, pg. B8.
    12. ^ "Outstanding Faculty Award Recipients - Past & Present", State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Retrieved: November 20, 2011.

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