Introducing: Robert Bridges

Chief editor and arranger at RBP Music Publishers is violist Robert Bridges

Originally from Milwaukee, Bridges began studying the viola at the age of nine, and as a teenager continued his studies with Gerald Stanick and Abram Loft, of the Fine Arts Quartet. At 16, Bridges won the Milwaukee Music for Youth competition and was presented in his public debut in a performance of the Walter Piston Viola Concerto.

Bridges received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Institute, where he studied with Karen Tuttle. While a student at Peabody, he was chosen to serve as as principal viola of the Annapolis Symphony, under the direction of Leon Fleisher. Additional study includes the Banff Institute of Fine Arts, with William Primrose and Donald McInnes. In 1979, Bridges was one of 15 violists invited to participate in the first William Primrose International Viola Competition.

For the past 15 years, Robert Bridges has made his home in Houston, where he performs as a member of the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera orchestras. He is also heard in chamber music and solo recitals, and in the summers has performed at the Grand Teton Music Festival and the Festival at Round Top. Also in Houston, he has been engaged as soloist in the Vaughan-Williams Suite for Viola and Orchestra, and Berlioz' "Harold in Italy". He appeared as guest soloist at the 1999 Viola Congress in Canada, performing his arrangement of the Tchaikovsky "Theme and Variations" for viola and piano.

Other arrangements written by Bridges include works commissioned by the Cimmarron Wind Quintet, Harrington String Quartet, and the Elysian Trio. The arrangements written by Bridges for RBP are the product of 20 years' work in this field. The collection was first published in 1990, and has grown in popularity ever since! RBP Music Publishers is proud to offer these outstanding arrangements for viola.