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Biography

Press Kit

American percussionist Robert Rocheteau is a solo and chamber artist known for his vibrant and refined interpretations, championing classical solo percussion as a rich and vital solo tradition. A distinctive voice in percussion, Robert balances a deep commitment to performing the celebrated repertoire with an active output of commissioning new works. Recent highlights include performances at the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, the Sound Scene Festival at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and multiple appearances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

A highly sought-after chamber musician, Robert collaborates with artists from around the globe and is a fixture on the contemporary chamber music scene, performing in duo and trio combinations, with string quartets, and across numerous mixed chamber ensembles. Recent highlights include the world premiere of Cody Criswell-Badillo's "A Rural Requiem" in Dallas, TX with the ensemble Earspace.

Robert devotes much of his artistry to The Victory Players, a Pierrot + Percussion ensemble that he co-founded that serves as ensemble-in-residence at the historic Victory Theatre in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Conducted by Tianhui Ng, the ensemble is a bold new voice in contemporary classical music, bringing virtuosic, soloist-level artistry to diverse audiences. Their catalog includes over 30 commissioned premieres. Recent highlights include a gala performance at the Sala Sinfónica Pablo Casals in Puerto Rico and residencies at Yale University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Robert is the Director of Percussion Studies at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College. Robert holds degrees from the Peabody Conservatory, University of Maryland College Park, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His teachers were Robert van Sice, Ayano Kataoka, Jon Bisesi, Jauvon Gilliam, Shaun Tilburg, and Thomas Hannum. Robert proudly endorses Sabian cymbals, Pearl/Adams musical instruments. and Vic Firth sticks and mallets.
Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Photos by Titilayo Ayangade

Recitals

A Percussive Landscape

A Percussive Landscape is a classical percussion recital that traces a wide emotional and expressive journey unique to the instrument family—from tender moments on the vibraphone, through the raw intensity of multi-percussion, and so much more—charting a landscape only percussion can reveal.

View PDF

Iannis Xenakis - Rebonds

Philippe Manoury - Le Livre des Claviers, IV. Solo de Vibraphone

Per Nørgård - I Ching, III. The Gentle, the Penetrating

Mark Applebaum - Aphasia

John Cage - Dream

Alexej Gerassimez - Asventuras

Repertoire is subject to change; substitutions may be available. The program must be approved by Robert Rocheteau.

Recitals are one hour in length. Shorter or longer versions are available as well as other solo performance formats.

Concerti

View PDF

Emmanuel Séjourné - Concerto for Marimba

Christopher Theofanidis - Concerto for Marimba

Tōru Takemitsu - Gitimalya “Bouquet of Songs”

Tōru Takemitsu - Cassiopeia

Richard Rodney Bennett - Concerto for Marimba

Martin Bresnick - Grace

Thea Musgrave - Journey Through a Japanese Landscape

Avner Dorman - Spices, Perfumes, Toxins!

Avner Dorman - Frozen in Time

Einojuhani Rautavaara - Incantations

Kalevi Aho - Sieidi

Additional repertoire is available upon request. Repertoire must be approved by Robert Rocheteau.

Collaborations

  • Jay Villella, hailed an "exuberant trumpeter" by Cleveland Classical, and Robert Rocheteau join forces for a duo classical chamber music has rarely seen—trumpet and percussion. Naturally at home together in the orchestra and on jazz bandstands for as long as either idiom has existed, Jay and Robert craft a concert experience that feels as inevitable as it does exciting.

    Sample Program

    Micah Levy - Fresh Air for Trumpet and Marimba

    Markus Stockhausen - Five Pieces for Trumpet and Vibraphone

    Philippe Manoury - Le Livre des Claviers, IV. Solo de Vibraphone

    André Jolivet - Heptade for Trumpet and Percussion

    Arvo Pärt - Spiegel im Spiegel

    Adolphus Hailstork - Variations for Trumpet

    Jim Stephenson - Vignettes for Trumpet and Percussion

    Repertoire is subject to change; substitutions may be available. The program must be approved by Robert Rocheteau and Jay Villella.

    Collaborative performances between Jay Villella and Robert Rocheteau are booked through rob.rocheteau@gmail.com

  • Founding member Robert Rocheteau performs with the Victory Players. Conducted by Tianhui Ng, this Pierrot + Percussion ensemble is a bold new voice in contemporary classical music, bringing virtuosic, soloist-level artistry to diverse audiences. Their catalog includes over 30 commissioned premieres and have held residencies at institutions like Yale University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

    Click Here - Victory Players Website

    Sample Program

    Johanny Navarro - Belén

    Cole Reyes - Firming Ground

    Lilya Ugay - Island of Enchantment

    Jorge Sosa - Rocola

    Luis Quintana - Midnight Rumba

    Ivan Rodriguez - Transmutacion Inerte

    Repertoire is subject to change; other programs are available upon request. The program must be approved by Victory Players Management.

    visit www.victoryplayers.org and email victoryplayersusa@gmail.com to book performances.

  • Robert specializes in mixed-ensemble chamber music. Browse the list below for programing ideas for your chamber music festival or concert. More selections available upon request.

    Akiho, Andy - 21

    Akiho, Andy - LIgNEouS

    Akiho, Andy - Aluminous

    Bartok, Bela - Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion

    Berio, Luciano - Circles

    Bresnick, Martin - Caprichos Enfaticos

    Bresnick, Martin - Songs of the Mouse People

    Brown, Earle - Hodograph 1

    Carrillo, Carlos - Dueling with time, Bartering for Minutes of Existence

    Cerrone, Chris - Double Happiness

    Cerrone, Chris - Goldbeater’s Skin

    Crumb, George - Ancient Voices of Children

    Crumb, George - Madrigals, Books I - IV

    Crumb, George - American Songbooks (All)

    Crumb, George - An Idyll for the Misbegotten

    Crumb, George - Music for a Summer Evening

    Crumb, George - Yesteryear

    Crumb, George - The Ghosts of Alhambra

    Dallapiccola, Luigi - Canti di Prigiona

    Dorman, Avner - Child’s Play

    Dun, Tan - Elegy: Snow in June

    Dun, Tan - Water Passion after St. Matthew

    Ewazen, Eric - Mosaics

    Feldman, Morton - Durations IV

    Gerassimez, Alexej - Piazonore

    Golijov, Osvaldo - Mariel

    Harrison, Lou - Concerto for Violin with Percussion Orchestra

    Harrison, Lou - Varied Trio

    Honstein, Robert - Continuous Interior

    Honstein, Robert - Echolocate

    Honstein, Robert - Patter

    Hurel, Philippe - Tombeau

    Jolivet, Andre - Suite en Concert

    Jolivet, Andre - Heptade

    Kagel, Mauricio - Transicion II

    Kagel, Maurico - Match

    Klatzow, Peter - A Sense of Place

    Klatzow, Peter - Figures in a Landscape

    Klatzow, Peter - Night Music, with Illuminations

    ­Klatzow, Peter - Return of the Moon

    Klatzow, Peter - Sonata for Violin and Marimba

    Lansky, Paul - Hop

    Lansky, Paul - Partita

    Ligeti, György - Sippal, Doppol, Nadihegeduvel

    Piazzola, Astor - L’Histoire du Tango                                                                                        

    Ptaszynska, Marta - Four Preludes

    Puts, Kevin - And Legions will Rise

    Quiñones, Christian – Se Oyen Los Lamentos Por Doquier

    Reich, Steve - Drumming

    Reich, Steve - Music for 18 Musicians

    Reich, Steve - Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ

    Reich, Steve - Radio Rewrite

    Reich, Steve – All Works

    Schuller, Gunther - Phantasmata

    Sejourne, Emmanuel - Famin 2

    Seo, Juri - vi

    Shaw, Caroline - Limestone and Felt

    Shaw, Caroline - Boris Kerner

    Stockhausen, Karlheinz - Kontakte

    Stockhausen, Karlheinz - Refrain

    Stockhausen, Markus - Five Pieces for Trumpet and Vibraphone

    Stravinsky, Igor - L’Histoire du Soldat

    Takemitsu, Toru - Toward the Sea

    Takemitsu, Toru - Sacrifice

    Wood, James - Tongues of Fire

    Wood, James - Déploration sur la mort de Gérard Grisey

    Xenakis, Iannis - Homboi

    Xenakis, Iannis - Idmen A and B

    Xenakis, Iannis - Oophaa

Engagement

College and University Level

Masterclasses, Private Lessons, and Coaching

One-on-one or group coaching for composers, percussionists, and chamber music ensembles. Can be tailored to existing curriculum or repertoire.

Performances

Robert is available for collaborative performances with students, student ensembles, faculty, or fellow guest artists.

Lectures & Workshops

  • Writing for Percussion: Optimizing Musical Imagination through Score Clarity and Physical Execution

  • Nuance and Fluidity on Multi-Percussion

  • The Idiosyncrasies of Contemporary Classical Vibraphone

  • Collaborating with Composers

  • Candid 21st Century Music Career Conversations

K-12 Level

Robert offers age-appropriate interactive programs encouraging active participation with a focus on performance and learning objectives. Robert also tailor-makes group classes on percussion instruments that music directors do not have time to teach, and percussion masterclasses for advanced high school students.