Remembering Robert Ward

Frank Oteri at NewMusicBox was kind enough to let me write a recollection of my teacher, Robert Ward, who died recently. I appreciate Frank's good editing of the piece which begins:

"I have been lucky to have had a number of great teachers and colleagues, but Robert Ward stands out first amongst them. Even back in 1977 when I first met him, his hair was mostly a distinguished white. His fatherly manner was always warm, and even when he was vehemently arguing a point, he never seemed truly angry. Bob’s inner composer was a respected and valued member of society, and so he frequently could be seen in a good suit or sport coat and bow tie. He believed that artists weren’t always outsiders, but people who deserved a place at the table beside donors, industrialists, and scientists in order to provide a different perspective on society."  complete piece at NewMusicBox