An Oklahoma native who originally planned a career in architecture, Robert Glasgow has become one of the most widely respected concert organists in America. One critic boldly hailed him as "the Philadelphia Orchestra of organists."
Dr. Glasgow was educated at the Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Harold Gleason and Catherine Crozier. He earned his bachelor's degree with distinction in 1950 and his master's degree in 1951, and he was awarded the School's Performer's Certificate.
A specialist in music of many styles and eras - but especially 19th century works for organ - Dr. Glasgow is considered one of the greatest living performers of Romantic organ repertoire. He has concertized abroad several times, and he tours the United States and Canada every season to critical acclaim. He is in high demand for master classes and workshops. Dr. Glasgow appears annually as a featured performer, lecturer, and clinician for both regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, and was named by the New York City AGO chapter as its 1996-1997 "International Performer of the Year." Highlights of his career include performing and teaching at the Fourth International Congress of Organists in Cambridge, England, and at the Mormon Tabernacle on the occasion of the completed renovation of its historic organ. He has recorded an album of works by César Franck for Prestant Records.
In addition to being a distinguished performer, Dr. Glasgow is a highly regarded educator. Since 1962, he has been professor of organ at the University of Michigan School of Music, where his colleagues have honored him with a prestigious award for excellence in private studio teaching. The award is well deserved: in the past several years alone, eight of his students have won first prize in major national and international organ competitions - including the Grand Prix du Chartres, the Calgary International Organ Competition, and the Bach International Organ Competition. Dr. Glasgow also taught for eleven years at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, which has since recognized his prominence in performance and teaching by awarding him an honorary doctoral degree in music.
For his distinguished career as an organist and educator, and for his continued contributions to the music profession, the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester is proud to honor Robert Glasgow with its Alumni Achievement Award.
Rochester, New York
January 26, 2002