Dr. Robert Murray is the trumpet professor at the University of Northern Colorado.

He teaches and coordinates a trumpet studio of nearly 50 music majors with the assistance of adjunct professor Scott Meredith and teaching assistants Jason Crafton, Ann Franek and Nora Smith. Dr. Murray’s trumpet studios have established a reputation for excellence; his students have participated and competed successfully at the state, regional, national and international levels and have been honored with appearances in the College, Masters, Jazz and Ensemble Divisions at the National Trumpet Competition and performances at the International Trumpet Guild Conference along with participation in the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles International Wind Orchestra, the Aspen Music Festival, the Rome Music Festival, the Dublin International Symphonic Festival, the Symphony Orchestra of the Academy of the Pacific in Canada, Busch Gardens, the Big Fork (Montana) Summer Playhouse, the Henry Mancini Institute and Glen Miller Orchestra. Among Dr. Murray’s students are successful teachers in both secondary education and the college ranks.

Dr. Murray has been a featured performer, soloist and clinician at conferences of the International Trumpet Guild, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) and the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (BASBE). He has presented at international sessions of the Historic Brass Society and served as a faculty member of the Trumpet Institute “Exploring Trumpet in Greece.” He can also be heard as a soloist on the Albany, Klavier, Mark and Symphonic Discoveries labels.

He and his wife, Lauren, oboe professor at the University of Northern Colorado, perform together as the duo Harmonie del Sur. They have performed at both Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center in New York City. They have also appeared as performer/presenters at the National College Music Society Conference, the Hawaii International Conference on the Arts and Humanities, National Symposium on Music Instruction Technology, International Double Reed Society Conference, the Great Lakes College Music Society Conference, the University of North Texas Conductors Collegium and were guest artists at the Winter Sun Music Festival. They have been recipients of five new works composed for them, John Steffa’s Songs in Tribute, Three Flirtations by Sy Brandon, Frescoes by Bryan Johanson, William Schmidt’s Variegations III, and Duo Petroglyphica by Robert Ehle.

Dr. Murray performs frequently with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and has served as Principal Trumpet with the Owensboro Symphony, the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria in Mexico City, and the Portland Opera Orchestra. He also performs with the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival All-Stars, High Plains Big Band and Colorado Jazz Orchestra. He was a member of the Dallas Brass and with that group performed solo engagements and appeared as guest artists with orchestras such as the Cincinnati Pops and Florida Philharmonic. His other performing experience includes regional orchestras throughout Colorado, the Pacific Northwest and Texas, the Oregon Symphony and the Dallas Opera.

He previously served on the faculties of Murray State University, University of North Texas, Tarleton State University and the University of Washington. Dr. Murray received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Texas, having studied with Keith Johnson. His previous degrees were earned through studies at the University of Washington and Portland State University, studying trumpet with Gerald Webster, Fred Sautter, and Roy Cummings.

Dr. Murray has served as an Artist Faculty member of the National Trumpet Competition.  He has received Distinguish Service Awards from the Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Florida and Minnesota Music Educators Associations and was recognized by the Colorado House of Representatives with a special commendation. Dr. Murray is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Education.