Robert Walters

English Horn
Samuel C. and Bernette K. Jaffe Endowed Chair
The Cleveland Orchestra

Robert Walters joined The Cleveland Orchestra as solo english horn and oboe player at the beginning of the 2004-05 season. He made his debut as a soloist with the Orchestra in Ned Rorem’s English Horn Concerto in December 2006. From 2000 to 2004, Mr. Walters served as solo english horn and oboe player with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and from 1997 to 2000, he served in the same positions with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. From 1990 to 1996, he performed and recorded with the Philadelphia Orchestra and was active as a freelance musician in New York City, performing with ensembles including the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, American Ballet Theatre, American Symphony Orchestra, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He also was a frequent performer with James Levine and the MET Chamber Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.

Mr. Walters has appeared as soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Beijing Radio Symphony, New York Chamber Soloists, and the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia. He joined the artist faculty of the Aspen Music Festival in 2005 and became a member of the oboe faculty at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in February 2006. He became professor of oboe and english horn at Oberlin in July 2010.

A native of Los Angeles, Robert Walters holds a bachelor of music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music and a master of fine arts degree from Columbia University. He spent five summers at the Marlboro Music Festival and toured as a member of Musicians from Marlboro. He also participated in the National Repertory Orchestra and the Bard and Spoleto festivals, as well as the Kent/Blossom Music program. Mr. Walters studied with Richard Woodhams, principal oboe of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the late John Mack, former principal oboe of The Cleveland Orchestra.