Rob Halpner

Rob Halpner is a composer, arranger and sound designer, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His unbridled passion for the marching arts began in 2016. Since that time, he has marched six seasons of Drum Corps with The Bluecoats, Santa Clara Vanguard, and The Academy, as well as four WGI seasons with Monarch Independent Percussion; all in the position of lead synth player.

Rob has had the privilege of working professionally with The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps as a member of the audio team, as well as with Monarch Independent Percussion in the capacity of Audio Manager. Additionally, he has also worked as a music educator with the instructional teams at several high school marching bands, including Avon High School in Avon, Indiana and Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas. Rob has also served as the percussion coordinator for the Butler University Marching Band.

As an arranger, Rob has composed and arranged battery, front ensemble, and sound design music for highly successful scholastic, collegiate, and independent ensembles across the United States including BOA Grand National Champion, ISSMA State Champion, WGI PIW Finalist, UIL State Finalist, and BOA Grand National Semifinalist programs. These programs include Alvin H.S., Avon H.S., Edmond North H.S., Highland H.S., Magnoila West H.S., Manvel H.S., Marcus H.S., Marian Catholic H.S., McKinney North H.S., Mt. Vernon H.S., Northwest H.S., Poteet H.S., Upper St. Clair H.S., the University of North Texas, the University of Cincinnati, Butler University, the Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps, and Monarch Independent Percussion.

Rob earned his Bachelor’s Degree ('22) in Music Composition from the University of North Texas, where he studied composition in the studio of Dr. Sungji Hong and classical piano in the studio of Gustavo Romero. During his time at UNT, Rob was a member of numerous ensembles performing with the instrumental and vocal jazz bands, the concert band, the steel band, and the Green Brigade Marching Band.

Now living in Indianapolis, Rob received his Master’s Degree in Music Education at Butler University in December of 2024. Throughout his studies at Butler, Rob served as the teaching assistant to Dr. Trae Blanco and the Wind Ensemble, performed as a member of the Butler University Percussion Ensemble, and studied percussion under the direction of Jon Crabiel.

Education and Experience

Percussion Experience

Participating in classical and world percussion ensembles, Rob has studied in the studios of Jack Kloecker and Tyree Hastings at the University of North Texas, and at Butler University in the studio of Jon Crabiel. Rob has also served as both a soloist and percussion section member with the Butler University Wind Ensemble.

Piano Experience

Having studied piano both privately and at the University of North Texas, Rob has nearly 20 years of experience encompassing classical, jazz, and contemporary styles.

Audio Experience

Specializing in marching audio, Rob has experience as both a performer and staff member, working with scholastic and independent ensembles. His expertise includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Live Sound Software including MainStage 3 and Ableton Live

  • Wireless Systems including Shure Wireless products and Wireless Workbench

  • Audio Mixing Consoles including Yamaha, Allen & Heath, and PreSonus boards

  • Dante audio systems including a Dante Level I certification

Collegiate Ensemble Participation

Throughout his time at the University of North Texas and Butler University, Rob has been a member of:

  • Butler University Wind Ensemble

  • Butler University Percussion Ensemble

  • University of North Texas Concert Band

  • University of North Texas Eight O’Clock Jazz Lab Band

  • University of North Texas Avenue C Vocal Jazz Band

  • University of North Texas Eight O’Clock Steel Band

  • University of North Texas Green Brigade Marching Band

Competitive Marching Experience

Rob has had the privilege of working and performing with some of the most prestigious ensembles in this activity.

Staff

  • Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps

  • The Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps

  • Monarch Independent Percussion

Performer

  • Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps

  • Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps

  • The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps

  • Monarch Independent Percussion

Awards

UNT Composition Commission Selection

2024 University Presidential Investiture Fanfare Commission

Competitive Undergraduate Piano Performance Scholarship

2020-2021 UNT College of Music Scholarship

First Place: DCI Individual & Ensemble Performers Showcase

2021 Solo Piano

2021 Mixed Ensemble

Vox Nouveau Party of Four Composition Competition

2017 First Place: Dance of the Hummingbirds, for flute quartet

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Composition Competition

2017 First Place: Tarantella, for wind band

2014 First Place: If Only, for piano and trumpet

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