Robert Becker, M.M.

Professor Robert Becker was recently voted “Artist of the Year” by Arts Orange County for the year 2010. Continuing as Principal Viola of the Pacific Symphony for the 2010-2011 concert year, he has been seen on stage this season with Lang Lang, Pinchus Zukerman, Andre Watts and will be once again a featured performer on the “Café Ludwig” Series at Samueli Hall with Orli Shaham in addition to the Pops Series with Natalie Cole and others. Principal and solo viola for visiting ballets The Danish Ballet and National Ballet of Cuba at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the spring of 2011, he can be heard also as Principal Viola for some television shows - Desperate Housewives, No Ordinary Family amongst others.  Working with Disney recording executives recently on new music for one of the theme parks, Professor Becker has drastically reduced his professional commitments in the recording arena as teaching and administrative responsibilities at Chapman are now the priority.

In January of 2011, he presented a lecture and paper to the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association Teachers Association meeting that will be published in that associations periodical on “DeMystifying the Viola” for teachers.  In March of 2011, he will preside over two conference presentations at the American String Teachers Association National Convention in Kansas City, Mo.  He continues to serve as a musician representative to the Board of Directors of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and as a member of that organizations “Board Affairs Committee” and the “Investment Committee” for 2010-2011.  Professor Becker will adjudicate the auditions for Assistant Principal Viola for the Pacific Symphony in February of 2011.  In April of 2010, Professor Becker was the instrumental judge for the Naftzger Competition in Wichita Kansas for young talented solo performers.

Hosting viola workshops for both the Orange County Youth Orchestra and the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra during past seasons, he continues to be sought after as a presenter/pedagogue of both the viola and orchestral techniques.  In January of 2011, he was leader/coordinator for the Chapman Instrumental Recruiting tour featuring talented Chapman instrumentalists in performances of chamber music in Nevada and Arizona.

The Viola Workout in Colorado (Viola Workout.com) was once again sponsored and coordinated in Crested Butte, Colorado in June of 2010 by Professor Becker. This workshop has now been held for ten straight years to focus on string pedagogy and chamber music, primarily for Chapman students.

Read a recent interview with the Daily Pilot.