The University Record, April 2, 2001

Bands director Reynolds to be honored

By Melinda Tapia
School of Music

Reynolds. Photo courtesy School of Music
After 26 years, H. Robert Reynolds is retiring from the School of Music as the Thurnau Professor of Music, director of University Bands and director of the Division of Instrumental Studies. Reynolds will be honored at 8 p.m. April 6 in Hill Auditorium in a Symphony Band concert he will conduct. In addition to band favorites, the concert will include works commissioned specifically for the occasion:

  • Song for Band, world premiere, by William Bolcom, the Ross Lee Finney Distinguished Professor of Composition.

  • Rosa Parks Boulevard, world premiere, by Michael Daugherty, professor of music.

  • Lullaby for Kirsten, commissioned on the birth of Reynolds’ daughter 16 years ago, by Leslie Bassett, professor emeritus of music.

    Reynolds is a legend in the band conducting world. He has conducted recordings for Koch International, Pro Arte, Caprice and Deutsche Grammophon. Performance venues for Reynolds have included Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, Orchestra Hall and the Kennedy Center. He has been a featured conductor and lecturer at international conferences in Norway, Belgium, England and Holland. Reynolds was a master teacher for the Sverges Orkesterforeningars Riksforbund in Stockholm, Gothenberg, Udevalla, Orebro, and Linkoping, Sweden. He continues to conduct the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings.

    Reynolds is past president of the College Band Directors’ National Association and the Big Ten Band Directors’ Association and recently received a special tribute from the Michigan Legislature.

    During Reynolds’ tenure at the U-M, the Symphony Band has commissioned and premiered more than 40 pieces. Though retiring, Reynolds expects to continue conducting performances, teaching clinics and delivering lectures around the world. A reception honoring Reynolds will follow the concert in the Michigan League Ballroom.