Robert Foster

M.Ed. The University of Houston; B.M. The University of Texas

Director of Bands Emeritus, Robert E. Foster was Professor of Music at the University of Kansas, where he served as Director of Bands for 31 years beginning in 1971.  He was also the conductor and musical director of the award-winning Lawrence City Band.

In addition to serving as President of the American Bandmasters Association, Foster served as President of the National Band Association, The John Philip Sousa Foundation, the Southwest Division of the College Band Directors National Association, the Big Eight Band Directors Association, and the Big Twelve Conference Band Directors Association.  He also served as Chairman of the North American Band Directors Coordination Committee.

In 2006, he was inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame for Distinguished Conductors.  In 2007 he was presented an Award of Distinction from the Women Band Directors International organization for exceptional support toward women in the band movement.  In 2010 he was named “Distinguished Member, National Arts Associate” of Sigma Alpha Iota;  ”Outstanding Band Director Award” by International Phi Beta Mu; and was inducted into he Kansas Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.

Foster is editor of the “Authenticated Fillmore Editions” of band works by Henry Fillmore, published by Carl Fischer, and he wrote the “My First Arban Series” of instructional books.  He served as Educational Consultant to Wingert-Jones Music Publications, and is the author of the band history book, Wind Bands of the World, Chronicle of a Cherished Tradition, published by Meredith Music Publications.  In 2022, he was elected an Honorary Life Member of the American Bandmasters Association.