Robert Kerr (musician)
Robert Kerr is an American composer, violinist, conductor and clinician living in Orlando, FL. He is a frequently commissioned composer (over 50 commissions),including "Prayer for Peace", written in honor of 9/11 for the Deanery Children's Choir at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Orlando. The "Prayer for Peace" has been performed many times and was featured at the 2002 American Guild of Organists Convention. Also for 9/11 is his first symphony, "Symphonic Celebration - Darkness, Hope, and Spirit, 2002, for the Brevard (FL) Symphony Orchestra.
In 2010 the Museum of Florida Art commissioned his second symphony, "Legendary Florida: A Historical Portrait in Sound". It is a seven movement work that includes "300 Strong", sung by bass baritone Harry Burney about a murder in Florida of 300 black free and escaped slaves before the Civil War.[1]
Many of his pieces can be heard on YouTube, including the "Prayer for Peace" and the "Legendary Florida Suite".
Since 2003, Rob has performed as a violinist for weddings and special events at Disney World. He has been a frequent soloist and clinician for Magic Music Days, solo fiddler at Epcot for 5 years with the popular band, Mo' Rockin' at the Moroccan Pavilion, performed with the Canadian band, Off Kilter, and has been a frequent soloist with the Nova Celtic Band in Downtown Disney. He does arranging for many Disney events.
Kerr holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Tulsa and a Bachelor of Music degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts. He was awarded the St. Andrews Scholarship in 1990 to study composition in Scotland with world renowned composer Ronald Stevenson, who remarked Rob was one of his most gifted students.
Rob's music is a unique and stunning fusion of classical and popular music styles. "I believe that a good melody means everything. My artistic inspiration comes from my love of folk and popular music. If you do not leave one of my performances humming a melody I've written, then I've not done my job."
He lives in Orlando with his wife Marcia and his six children.