Robert Willis was born in Bremerton, Washington in 1931. He began his
career as a performing musician in Los Angeles after his military discharge
in 1954. He performed with the Claude Gordon and Charlie Barnet orchestras
and arranged for a variety of professional groups. Mr. Willis received
his bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University and his Master
of Music from the University of Arizona. He has taught in the public schools
of Arizona and Texas and at Northwestern State University of Louisiana
and Mississippi College. He has accomplished further graduate studies
at the University of North Texas. His compositions that have been performed
at major universities include a string trio; a brass quintet; a work for
contralto, percussion, strings and winds; a lament for baritone, choir
and organ; a published trombone quartet; plus a variety of transcriptions.
His composition teachers include Barney Childs, Robert McBride, William
Latham and Martin Mailman. Now semi-retired, Mr. Willis spends time composing,
teaching saxophone and clarinet, and pursuing his love of golf.