Robert Phillips (guitarist)
Robert Phillips (born in New York July 26, 1953) is an American classical guitarist.
Musical training
Robert began his musical training at age 8 on the accordion. He began to teach himself the guitar at age 12. He did not work under a teacher until 1967, when he began to learn finger style folk guitar. After one year of lessons, Robert outpaced his teacher, who suggested that he study classical guitar. In 1971, he entered Hofstra University as a Music Education major, studying guitar under Stanley Solow. On graduating in 1975, Robert began studies in New York under José Rey de la Torre. In 1976, Rey de la Torre left New York for San Francisco, and Robert worked on his own for the next two years. In 1977, after attending a three week seminar and master class under the direction of Guído Santórsola and Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Phillips began to study on a more or less regular basis with Barbosa-Lima. In 1979, Robert decided that a more regular regimen of study was desirable, and he studied briefly with Dennis Koster. Soon after, he returned to school at Brooklyn College in order to earn a masters degree. There, he studied first with David Starobin, and then with Michael Cedric Smith. Robert graduated with an M.A. in 1982. Although he did play in master classes, most notably by Eduardo Fernandez, Robert did not return to formal education until 1999, when he entered the University of Miami. Under the instruction of Rene Gonzalez, he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts. While at the university, he also had the opportunity to perform in a master class given by Sérgio Assad.
Professional career
In 1983 Robert worked briefly as an editorial assistant on the staff of Guitar Review. Robert made his New York recital debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on October 31, 1987. In 1989 he began writing a monthly classical guitar column in the popular rock guitar magazine, Guitar for the Practicing Musician, and its more general sister publication, the quarterly, Guitar Extra. In 1991 he released his first CD, which included works by Philip Glass, Frank Martin, Eberhard Weber, and Thelonius Monk, as well as his own compositions. In 1992, he published “Great Themes and Variations for Classic Guitar” (Mel Bay Publications, Inc.), and released his second recording, a 2 CD companion set to this book. In 1992 Cherry Lane Music discontinued the publication of Guitar Extra, and dropped Robert’s classical guitar column in Guitar for the Practicing Musician. Robert went on to write several short “lessons” for Guitar Player. He also began to contribute articles to Soundboard, the quarterly publication of the Guitar Foundation of America. His doctoral dissertation is entitled, The influence of Miguel Llobet on the pedagogy, repertoire, and stature of the guitar in the twentieth century. (©2002, OCLC 51796355)
Robert began teaching guitar, music appreciation, and music theory at All Saints' Academy in 1995, and went on to become the chair of the performing arts department. He continues to perform as a solo recitalist, ensemble player, and guest soloist. He has premiered works by Alfred Giusto, Frank Brazinski, Eric Ross, and Meyer Kupferman.