Robert Walters

  • Professor of Oboe and English Horn

Areas of Study

Education

  • BM, Curtis Institute of Music, 1990
  • MFA, Creative Writing, Columbia University, 1995
  • Studies with Richard Woodhams and John Mack

Biography

Robert Walters joined the Cleveland Orch­estra as solo English horn in 2004 and two years later began teaching at Oberlin Conservatory. Prior to his appointment in Cleveland, he served in the same capacity with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. 

Walters' varied career has led to appearances as guest soloist with top orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Beijing Radio Symphony, and festival performances at Banff, Bard, Caramoor, Grand Teton, Spoleto, and the Music Academy of the West. In November 2015, he premiered Bernard Rands’ Concerto for English Horn with the Cleveland Orchestra, which was commissioned for Walters as part of Oberlin Conservatory’s 150th anniversary celebration.

Since joining the Metropolitan Opera, Walters has helped students of both instruments attain solo positions in the following orchestras: Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, New Jersey, Orpheus, Pacific, Richmond, Rochester, San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, Santiago, Sarasota Opera, Seattle, Shanghai, Syracuse.

Excellence in Teaching Award, Oberlin College, 2015-16 academic year

  • Cleveland Orchestra, Oboe and Solo English horn (2004-present)
  • Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Oboe and Solo English horn (2000-04)
  • Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Oboe and Solo English horn (1996-2000)
  • Philadelphia Orchestra, Performances as Assistant Principal and Second Oboe (1988-95)

  • Orchestra of St. Lukes
  • Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
  • American Symphony Orchestra
  • Brooklyn Philharmonic
  • American Ballet Theater
  • New York Chamber Symphony (92nd Street Y)
  • RCA Studios for Columbia Pictures
  • BMG Studios
  • Opera Orchestra of New York
  • Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
  • Marlboro Music
  • Musicians from Marlboro touring ensemble

The following is a partial list of Walter’s solo performances:

  • Soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony
  • The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
  • The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (Carnegie Hall)
  • New York Chamber Soloists
  • The Beijing Radio Symphony (China)

  • Aspen Music Festival, Artist Faculty (2004-present)
  • Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Artist Faculty (2004-present)
  • New World Symphony, Coaching Program (2005-present)
  • Formerly Instructor of Oboe at Bard, Swarthmore, and Haverford colleges, and the University of Pennsylvania

Fall 2023

Principal Private Study - Oboe — PVST 009
Secondary Private Study - Oboe — PVST 059
Performance Ensembles (Artist Diploma) — APST 600
Performance Project (Artist Diploma) — APST 601
Chamber Music — APST 800
Contemporary Chamber Music — APST 805

Spring 2024

Principal Private Study - Oboe — PVST 009
Secondary Private Study - Oboe — PVST 059
Performance Ensembles (Artist Diploma) — APST 600
Performance Project (Artist Diploma) — APST 601
Chamber Music — APST 800
Contemporary Chamber Music — APST 805

Prospective Student Visits

Due to Robert Walters’ commitments to his current students and the demands of his performing schedule, in lieu of scheduling a private sample lesson, he encourages you to visit campus on a Friday and attend his weekly 4:30 p.m. studio class if possible. You are also welcome to meet him at the stage door of Severance Hall following any Cleveland Orchestra Concert. Please reach out to him by email and attach your musical résumé so that he can learn more about you.

News

Winds Aloft

April 22, 2022

Theodosia Roussos AD ’16 takes flight as an oboist, composer, singer, and more.