Robert “Gabe” Southard is currently the Director of Bands and Instrumental Music Education at Hope College. He recently completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting at Michigan State University, where he worked with Professor John Whitwell. Prior to his residence at MSU, he served as Wind Symphony conductor and Flute Studio teacher at the University of Michigan-Flint, where he also taught Orchestration, Music Appreciation, and Advanced Conducting. While living in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Southard served as conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble from 1999-2002. Under his direction, CYWE toured England and Scotland, taking first place at the Bournemouth International Musicmakers Festival; completed a CD of the works of Mark Camphouse; as well as being invited to perform at the Ohio Music Educators Regional Conference.

In addition to his collegiate teaching, Dr. Southard has served as clinician at several high schools and taught at the New England Music Camp in 2002. As a flute player, Dr. Southard maintains an active performing schedule by giving recitals and playing in chamber ensembles. He has also performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Lucca, Italy Opera Orchestra, as well as a number of community orchestras.

Dr. Southard received his Masters of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied conducting with James Smith. At UW, he crested the UW Brass Choir and the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras Brass Choir program. At Ithaca College, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Wendy Mehne, where he was instrumental in the creation of the Ithaca Chamber Winds.