Meet Maestro Robert W. Butts — Conductor

Dr. Robert W. Butts has shared his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of music through his work as conductor, composer, educator, writer, and lecturer.

He has conducted major orchestra and opera performances in New Jersey as well as guest appearances in Europe, most recently making his Italian debut in Crema with a performance of Pergolesi's La Serva Padrona and the world premiere of his composition Saturnalia Strings. His Early Morning Suite for classical guitar has been featured in recitals in Italy and England as well as in the United States.

Conductor Accolades

• Studied conducting at Juilliard with Maestro Vincent La Selva; received DMA in conducting from The American Conservatory of Music in Chicago; attended master classes in Toronto, Canada, and Berlin, Germany.
• Has conducted in Romania, Czech Republic, Russia, and Italy
• Has served as Principal Conductor for The Garden State Sinfonia, Opera at Florham, The Little Opera Company, New Jersey Concert Opera, Eastern Opera Company of New Jersey, and Opera Theatre of Montclair
• Has conducted concerts featuring The New Jersey Symphony, The Masterwork Chorus, The Plainfield Symphony, and Harmonium
• Is only conductor to have conducted three Wagner operas (Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried) and three Handel operas (Acis and Galatea, Semele, Giulio Cesare) in New Jersey
• Has conducted performances of over forty operas ranging from Monteverdi to Modern
• In addition to his own compositions, Maestro Butts has conducted world premiere works by Vatican composer Monsignor Marco Frisina as well as works by Ting Ho, John Franek, Amy Reich, Richard Russell, Andrew Pecota, Derwyn Holder, and Paul Zeigler
• He has edited and conducted modern day performances of works by 17th and 18th century composers
• Has taught conducting at Montclair State University and The College of Saint Elizabeth

Other Talents

Maestro Butts is also an accomplished composer and educator.