ROB ZIMMER

Senior Teacher - Saxophone

Bachelor’s in Music (Wright State)

Rob Zimmer is a saxophonist and educator from the Midwest region of the United States of America. He studied saxophone with Dr. Shelley Jagow at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Music after studying music education for 4 years. In addition to these studies, he sought out further instruction from world-renowned saxophonists Timothy McAllister (University of Michigan) and Zach Shemon (University of Missouri Kansas City); he also performed in masterclasses for Michael Torres (Ohio State University), Matt Landry of the Akropolis Reed Quintet, the Amstel Quartet, and the Donald Sinta Quartet. 

During his time in university, Rob was a very active performer. He was a member of the Wright State Wind Symphony, of which he was a member during their 2013 tour to Carnegie Hall. He also spent time in the soprano and tenor chairs of the nationally acclaimed WSU Avion Saxophone Quartet. Rob had jazz performance experience as well, sitting in the first tenor and lead alto chairs of the WSU Jazz Ensemble, performing in jazz combos outside of school, and playing in a theatre production of “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. 

Aside from large ensemble and saxophone quartet work, Rob enjoyed working in various chamber music ensembles. In addition to solo recitals with piano, he performed in a variety of groups which included a duo with guitar, trio with violin and piano, and a sextet that included various instruments. He also gave the world premier performance of Paul Trapkus’ “Trio for Three Saxophones”, which was originally written for three violins’; the recording can be found on imslp.org. 

Rob saw success in school competitions, being named the alternate winner of both the 2014 and 2016 Agnes Fowler Scholarship Competitions. He was also selected as one of four winners of the 2014 Wright State Concerto/Aria Night Competition, performing Paul Creston’s Saxophone Concerto. In addition, he was a finalist in both the 2015 and 2016 WSU Young Artist Competitions; in 2016, he won First Prize. 

Not just a performer, Mr. Zimmer also enjoyed teaching music. He maintained a small private saxophone studio outside of school, where several of his students earned first chairs in honor bands and Superior ratings at OMEA Solo/Ensemble adjudication events. He also was a saxophone tech for the marching bands of Valley View High School and Northmont High School, the latter of which he worked with for the entirety of the Fall 2015 season. Rob also observed an orchestral classroom at Stivers School for the Arts as, where he conducted rehearsals, led sectionals, and taught Advanced Placement Music Theory to a small group of high school seniors to help prepare them for the AP Exam.