Robert George
Robert George has been principle bassoonist for the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and an instructor of bassoon, oboe and saxophone at the University of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music since 1993. He is music director of the IAM Music Society, where he conducts a community choir, a wind ensemble, and a chamber orchestra. He teaches woodwind and voice students in Lethbridge and Calgary and operates a small woodwind repair and restoration business. He has been a member of the board of the Alberta Music Education Foundation since 2011, and is presently vice-chair of that organization. For the last decade, Mr. George has been involved in research regarding the prevention of musician injuries and healthy performance practice.
Mr. George has been an active professional musician in orchestras, chamber music, church music, popular music and jazz for over forty years. He has performed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. He also served many years on the board of the Alberta Band Association, including four years as treasurer.
Robert George taught music in the public school system in Calgary, Lethbridge, and Coaldale from 1980 until his retirement in 2009. He has also taught as a sessional instructor at the University or Calgary, Mount Royal College and University of Lethbridge, and Lethbridge College, and has served as a music director in various churches for twenty years.
A native of southern Alberta, Robert George graduated from W. R. Myers high school in Taber, and studied at the University of Lethbridge, the University of Calgary and the University of Arizona. He holds Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Music degrees, and a graduate Diploma of Fine Arts in Wind Band Conducting.
Robert is married to Magdalena George, a neo-natal nurse (retired). They have three adult children, Catherine, Laura and Allison and two grandchildren. When not making music, he likes to participate in basketball, racquetball, cycling and golf.