Robert Chesebro is Professor of Music at Furman University where he teaches clarinet, oboe, and bassoon. He coaches and conducts woodwind ensembles and serves as Coordinator of Woodwind Studies. He holds an endowed chair, The Charles Ezra Daniel Professor of Music. He received a Bachelor's Degree from Wisconsin State University at Stevens Point and the Master's and Doctor's Degrees in Performance from Indiana University.
He is currently Principal Clarinet in the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and has performed frequently with area symphonies, viz., Anderson, Columbia, Charlotte, Charleston, Asheville, Augusta, Hendersonville, and Kingsport. He has performed numerous solo recitals in the Southeast and appeared as soloist with several area symphonies. He also performs with the Heritage Chamber Players and the Galliard Woodwind Quintet. He has appeared twice in recital at the International Clarinet Association Clinics.
Dr. Chesebro is well-known as a Conductor/Clinician. He just completed his 25th season as Musical Director and Conductor of the Carolina Youth Symphony. He has also conducted the Furman University Symphonic Band, the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, the Hendersonville Symphony, the Greenville Little Theater, the Carolina Ballet Theater, the South Carolina Beauty Pageant, and several All-State Bands. He is an Artist/Clinician for Yamaha Corporation and provides Woodwind Clinics for students in the Southeast with a special "How to Practice" routine, as well as traditional woodwind fundamentals.
Several of Dr. Chesebro's former students are playing professionally and many are teaching in colleges and public schools in the Southeast. In addition, 40 of his students have won first chair in the S. C. All-State Band and 24 have won 1st Place in the state level of the Music Teachers National Association Woodwind Competition. Five students have been MTNA national finalists.
In 1995, Matthew Hanna, won the INTERNATIONAL CLARINET ASSOCIATION’S YOUNG ARTIST HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION. The competition is annually sponsored by the International Clarinet Association. It included 33 entrants from 18 countries.
His principal teachers have been Robert McGinnis, Clark Brody, Henry Gulick, Eugene Rousseau, Jerry Sirucek, Leonard Sharrow, and Harry Houdeshel. He has had additional study with John Denman, Kell-Inge Stevenson, Robert Marcellus, John Mack, and James Pellerite.
Dr. Chesebro has four(4) children and his wife, Gayle, is ARTIST IN RESIDENCE and Professor of Music at North Greenville College. She is a professional (French) horn player and plays is most of the area symphony orchestras.
Contact at: Furman University, Department of Music, Greenville, SC 29613-0454 (864) 294-2117(o); FAX (864) 294-3035; email: bob.chesebro@furman.edu.