Instruments: Mariachi, Voz. Education: Doctor of Arts (Theory/Composition and Ethnomusicology); U.N.C.; M.A. (Composition/Chorale/Voice) D.U.
Dr. Robert Klimek, originally from Chicago, Los Angeles and now Colorado, is a noted vocal and instrumental performer, composer, and clinician. He is an Emeritus faculty member and the founding Director of Music and the Performing Arts at the Colorado School of Mines. His specialties are vocal, chorale, marching/concert band performance/composition, as well as studies in ethnomusicology, specifically the area of Mexican and Latin American Baroque chorale music and its similarities to Mariachi harmonies. He also has a strong interest in performing on Latin/ South American bone, clay, bamboo, feather, wind/percussion instruments. Some of Bob’s past teachers include such eminent figures as Aaron Copeland, Earl Brown, Dave Brubeck, Ned Rorem, and Philip Glass. His vocal and instrumental music compositions often integrate melodic quotes from Alabados he collects around the Southwest. His music can be found in numerous chorale collections. He has been a featured artist (alto flute) on a Grammy nominated Spanish album; was a silver nominee for the National Booksellers Gold Medallion Award and was recently presented with the Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award for outstanding accomplishments in bringing global perspective to higher education.
Bob has been a continuing member of the Southwest Musicians ensemble (Keyboard) as well as a vocal coach with Lorenzo Trujillo for the 1st Mariachi All-State performance (Fall. 2022)
Other Instruments: Pipe organ, harpsicord, piano, flute, saxophone, electronic keyboards.