Robert Tanner, Morehouse College
D.M.A. in Composition, The Ohio State University

A native of Clarksburg, Ohio, Robert Tanner earned his bachelor’s degree in music industry with a minor in mathematics from Capital University in 1994. While at Capital, Dr. Tanner studied percussion with Robert Breithaupt and composition with Stan Smith. He pursued his graduate studies in composition at The Ohio State University where his principle composition instructors were Thomas Wells and Jan Radzynski. Dr. Tanner completed his Master’s degree in 1996 and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1999.
Throughout his undergraduate and graduate careers, Dr. Tanner earned numerous awards and honors for his musical and scholarly work, including the State of Ohio Regents Fellowship, Capital University’s John W. Mattern Alumni Prize, and induction into several honor societies. Among his recognitions as a composer are the Young Composer’s Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for his 1995 composition Ornaments for Percussion Ensemble; an appointment as composer-in residence with the Ohio State Symphony Orchestra, culminating in the premiere of Reconstruction in 1998; and the Ruth Friscoe Prize in Composition for Romance for Alto Saxophone and Piano in 1999.

Beginning in 1999, Dr. Tanner has served as assistant professor of music at the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches classes in composition, theory, and music history. Since relocating to the Atlanta area, Dr. Tanner’s works have been featured in numerous venues, including the Atlanta University Center Composer’s Symposium and concerts by the Luna Nova New Music Ensemble and the choral group Impromptu. His recent choral work “Lazarus” has been performed by numerous groups, appears on the CD Behold! Brethren in Unity by the Morehouse College Glee Club, and is published by G.I.A. Publications. In addition, Dr. Tanner remains active as a percussionist, performing regularly at Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and appearing on the CD Use Me, Lord by the internationally acclaimed Ebenezer Church Choir. Furthermore, Dr. Tanner has been affiliated with numerous organizations, such as ASCAP, the Society of Composers, the American Composers Forum, the Percussive Arts Society, and the Associated Colleges of the South Composers Forum.

Dr. Tanner and his wife, Malaika, currently reside in Mableton, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.

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Compositions:
Fanfare for Dr. King (.mp3)
Reconstruction for Orchestra (excerpt)(.mp3)
Romance for Alto Saxophone and Piano(.mp3)
Ornaments for Percussion Ensemble(.mp3)