Dr. Robert Fant is a versatile pedagogue, performer, and composer who brings a world perspective to his work. He brings a passion for classical music and a dedication to excellence through his successful career as a performer and educator. He has taught and performed across the world as a principal horn in Orchestras, Opera, Film Studios, TV, Radio, and more. His passion is to help students achieve their goals and dreams. He is currently the Visiting Professor of Horn at the Tennessee Tech School of Music, horn faculty of Rocky Ridge Music Center, member of the Cumberland Quintet, principal horn of the Bryan Symphony, North State Symphony, Jackson Symphony, XO artist, and XO education clinician. Previous positions include Assistant Professor of Horn at University of Memphis, Assistant Professor of Horn at SWOSU, Professor of Horn at MWSU in Texas, and scholar, teaching, guest, or assistant positions at the University of North Texas, Trinity College London (guest), Royal Northern College of Music (ABRSM Scholar), University of Wisconsin, and the College Conservatory of Music. He is a frequent judge at IHS and other competitions.
Dr. Fant’s former students can be found in nearly all areas of music. In addition to honing their studies in the studio his students can be found regularly in festivals, workshops, and attending high level programs around the world. Recent student accomplishments include winning MTNA Young Artist Award, IHS competitions, Charleston International, Harmony International, and the first horn group to ever place at the IWBC competition. In addition to several educators in schools and private studios, students have appointments at the collegiate level. Many others have gone on to orchestral positions, service band positions, and various creative freelance endeavors in recording and producing. Robert strives to always inspire students to reach for their goals and enjoy their lives in music. He has regularly maintained a studio of private students during his performance career and these students have excelled at All State and in earning scholarships for further study. Robert is often involved in outreach and charity organizations. He has worked extensively with organizations in India, South America, China, Eastern Russia, and throughout the United States. This work involved bring music and aid to underrepresented communities and abused peoples of the world.
Robert’s performance in the USA, Asia, South America, and Europe has led to positions in orchestras, recordings, and solo work. Previously he has held the position of principal horn with the London Mozart Chamber Orchestra, ACO, Teatro Municipal de Santiago, Guiyang Symphony, London Oratorio Society Orchestra, and section positions with the Philharmonie der Nationes (Berlin), Auckland Philharmonia, Verbier Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra of India. This work has been in conjunction with playing as guest or extra with orchestras such as The Halle, BBC Philharmonic, National Center for the Performing Arts (Beijing), Taiwan National Symphony, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Thuringer Symponiker, Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, Staatstheater Hannover, Boston Pops, San Antonio Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Dallas Wind Symphony, Memphis Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Portland Symphony, LSO (London), Royal Ballet (UK), Opera North (UK), BBC Wales, RSNO (Scotland), BBC Symphony, Bavarian Orchestra (Germany), and an apprenticeship with the Vienna Philharmonic under Wolfgang Tombock. These experiences have led to collaborations with great conductors, soloists, artists, and an admiration of how music can change the world.
During this orchestral work Robert has maintained a regular schedule as a recitalist, soloist, and chamber musician. As a former finalist (and the only hornist to that point) for the Gold Medal Competition, Robert has been fortunate to perform as a soloist / recitalist with increased frequency. He is also a past finalist of the Haverhill International Soloist Competition, Carnegie Hall ACJW Fellowship,
WAMSO, and ASTRAL competition. Recent recital engagements include the Steinway Artist series, Wigmore Hall series, North State Symphony, and the Aspen Recital series. He has premiered and/or commissioned many works by young composers from various backgrounds in multiple countries. He can be found on recordings with Dallas Winds, Atlantic Records, Deutsche Grammophone, NAXOS, BBC Radio, BBC TV, REAL TV, Medici Records, University of Michigan Records, Reference Recordings, Klavier Records, and NPR Radio. He has been a part of winning a GRAMMY, Lesser Foundation Award, and a Royal Philharmonic Society award. He is also the only horn on the SONY Film “The Tattooist” and was multi tracked to create the score. Additional film work includes Netflix and Apple film. He has performed as a soloist and premiered many works. Highlights include solo performances with Denton Orchestra, National Orchestra, North England Institute Orchestra, and chamber premieres at Wigmore and with Eric Ewazen in the USA. He has performed with Amy Grant, Roberta Flack, Andre Bocelli, Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Cody Fry, and others to broaden the exposure of the horn in less traditional genres of music.
Robert’s BM is from the University of Michigan, MM from CCM, Diploma from NEC, and DMA from University of Wisconsin. While he has had the privilege to study and seek out many mentors and pedagogues in his past, his primary teachers are Froydis Ree Wekre, Randy Gardner, Michael Hatfield, Jerome Ashby, Kendall Betts, Myron Bloom, Chris Leuba, and Louis Stout.