Robert “Gabe” Southard is currently an associate professor at Hope College, where he teaches the flute studio; runs various flute ensembles; plays in and conducts the Faculty And Student Collaborative Ensemble (FASCE); conducts the Wind Ensemble; and heads up the Instrumental division of the Music Education Department. Gabe maintains an active performing schedule by playing principal flute in the Holland Symphony Orchestra, and giving solo and chamber recitals. Gabe was a semifinalist in the National Flute Association’s Piccolo Artist Competition and winner of the 2016 Convention Performers Competition where he performed two new works at the convention in San Diego. As an advocate of new music, Gabe has been involved in many commissions, including world premieres of The Conjurer Flute Concerto and Gold Mosaic for flute, oboe, and piano, both by Dana Wilson and regional premieres of the Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble by Paul Senchuk, Krummholz Variations, by Oliver Caplan, and Machiavelli's Conscience, by Michael Markowski. He has also performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Lucca, Italy Opera Orchestra, as well as a number of community orchestras. Gabe is currently engaged in recording a CD of works by Dana Wilson.
Gabe holds degrees from Ithaca College (BM), the University of Wisconsin-Madison (MM), and Michigan State University (DMA). He has studied with Dr. Wendy Mehne, Randy Bowman, Stephanie Jutt, Helene Rosenblatt, and several others. When he is not playing flute, Gabe enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah Southard, who is a professional oboist; his eight year old daughter, Clara, and his thirteen year old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Arthur.
Robert “Gabe” Southard is currently an associate professor at Hope College, where he teaches the flute studio; runs various flute ensembles; plays in and conducts the Faculty And Student Collaborative Ensemble (FASCE); conducts the Wind Ensemble; and heads up the Instrumental division of the Music Education Department. Gabe maintains an active performing schedule by playing principal flute in the Holland Symphony Orchestra, and giving solo and chamber recitals. Gabe was a semifinalist in the National Flute Association’s Piccolo Artist Competition and winner of the 2016 Convention Performers Competition where he performed two new works at the convention in San Diego. As an advocate of new music, Gabe has been involved in many commissions, including world premieres of The Conjurer Flute Concerto and Gold Mosaic for flute, oboe, and piano, both by Dana Wilson and regional premieres of the Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble by Paul Senchuk, Krummholz Variations, by Oliver Caplan, and Machiavelli's Conscience, by Michael Markowski. He has also performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Lucca, Italy Opera Orchestra, as well as a number of community orchestras. Gabe is currently engaged in recording a CD of works by Dana Wilson.
Gabe holds degrees from Ithaca College (BM), the University of Wisconsin-Madison (MM), and Michigan State University (DMA). He has studied with Dr. Wendy Mehne, Randy Bowman, Stephanie Jutt, Helene Rosenblatt, and several others. When he is not playing flute, Gabe enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah Southard, who is a professional oboist; his eight year old daughter, Clara, and his thirteen year old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Arthur.