Dr. Robert Gibson, Lecturer in the John M. Long School of Music at Troy University, has been awarded the Dr. Robert Kruckeberg Faculty Excellence Award, presented by the University’s Faculty Senate.
The award honors the memory of Dr. Robert Kruckeberg, an Associate Professor of History who passed away in December 2020 at the age of 43 after a courageous battle with cancer. He had been a member of the TROY faculty since 2012.
The award is presented annually to an outstanding lecturer or adjunct faculty member who demonstrates excellence in the areas of teaching, research and service.
“Dr. Gibson has devoted himself to growing the guitar program here at TROY, teaching applied guitar, music theory, string pedagogy, and guitar ensemble to dedicated students,” said Dr. Robert Scott Nokes, Faculty Senate President. “Overall, he represents the excellence in teaching, research and service that is the hallmark of Kruckeberg honorees.”
Gibson, who has been a faculty member of the John M. Long School of Music since 2008, said he was honored to receive the award.
“I am incredibly grateful for this recognition and am blessed to have many supportive colleagues, friends, and gifted students at Troy University,” Gibson said. “It is inspiring that Troy University has so many committed faculty members and students that consistently exceed their required expectations. I think this helps contribute to the vitality of a healthy institution.”
As a performer, Gibson has been a featured artist with several orchestras including the San Antonio Symphony, and toured as both a soloist and chamber musician around the United States, Mexico, Spain, and Italy. Robert has performed chamber concerts at major national/international music conferences, including the 2016 National Flute Association annual conference in San Diego, and the 2017 Percussive Arts Society International Conference (PASIC) in Indianapolis. As a promoter of new music, Gibson has collaborated with several composers on the creation of new works for the guitar and has performed world premieres of new works by composers Donald Grantham, James Norman, Traci Mendel and Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Gibson is also well versed in other styles of music beyond the classical realm. He studied jazz guitar with Mitch Watkins and has performed extensively in multiple genres including, Jazz, Rock, Country, Contemporary Christian, Broadway, and Folk.
Gibson has won prizes in several competitions including the Appalachian Guitar Festival Competition, the U.T.S.A Concerto Competition, and the M.T.N.A. National Competition. Robert received the Alumni of the Year Award in 2014 from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Gibson began studying classical guitar in high school with Jennifer Whatley, continuing on to earn a Bachelor of Music in guitar performance under the direction of Dr. Matthew Dunne at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and both Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the University of Texas at Austin with Adam Holzman. During this time, Gibson also pursued composition and arranging, studying with notable composers such as Donald Grantham, David Heuser, and James Balentine. In the summer of 2006, Gibson completed his fourth year of studies with the legendary guitarist and teacher Oscar Ghiglia at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy.
Students of Gibson have also won numerous top prizes in significant competitions around the country. Before teaching full time at Troy University, Gibson was on faculty at Faulkner University and also taught award-winning high school and middle school programs for a combined six years.
