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Headshot of Robert Trent
Dr. Robert Trent with student

Focus and Philosophy: Dr. Trent鈥檚 fundamental belief is that music transforms lives. That the guitar, in all its forms, is the universal instrument present in nearly every style of music and culture world-wide; and that the study of guitar is the perfect gateway to multiple career opportunities in our ever-changing musical world. 鈥淭he guitar changed my life, and I am passionate in my desire to guide students towards their unique musical life through the study of guitar. Music is life lessons.鈥

Background: Early experiences with keyboard and choral singing led Dr. Trent to the need to find his own musical 鈥榲oice鈥. It was, in high school that his discovery of the classical guitar and its music compelled him to choose the life of a musician. Almost immediately, the image of a future career became clear; to become an internationally active performer who shares the depth of that knowledge with his students. 鈥淚 have found nothing to be more fulfilling than these two inextricably intertwined aspects of a musical life鈥, he says.

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Teaching: Dr. Trent has successfully mentored students as musical entrepreneurs, teachers, recording artists, performers, administrators, and music therapists who have become successful in their respective careers, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Many former students have become educators themselves, from public schools to higher education, and most are active performers, including performing and recording on the national and international scene. From Carnegie Hall to Lauryn Hill, Trent's students have a track record of making their mark. Additionally, he serves as the director of the 91制片厂 Guitar Ensemble.

Research/Scholarship/Creative Work: Dr. Trent frequently engages his students in creative scholarship research in commercial environments such as the NAXOS recording company, and guided students to publications of their own arrangements and compositions for Guitar Chamber Music Press. In his own professional work, he is sought after worldwide as masterclass teacher, performer, and recording artist, with an extensive list of recordings, earning accolades in publishing and live performance (see additional information below). He is the recipient of 91制片厂 University鈥檚 Dalton Eminent Scholar Award (2021) and Distinguished Creative Scholar Award (2020). 

For more information about Robert Trent, please open the tabs below. If you would like a digital copy of his complete CV, please contact him at rstrent@radford.edu.   You can also visit or his . Additional information can be found on the 91制片厂 Guitar Ensemble page.

Education

D.M.A. (1995) Peabody Conservatory of Music, The Johns Hopkins University; twice honored with Peabody Development Grants.

M.A. (1980) Trenton State College; Distinguished Music Alumni Award (2013)

B.M. (1978) Philadelphia College of Performing Arts

Courses Taught

MUSC 335: Applied Private Guitar Lessons

MUSC 367: Beginning Guitar Class

MUSC 368: Intermediate Guitar Class

MUSC 369: Fretboard Skills (Sight-reading, progressions, improv and arranging for guitar)

MUSC 370: Intermediate Fretboard Skills

MUSC 421: Guitar History and Literature

MUSC 436: Guitar Ensemble

MUSC 445: Guitar Pedagogy

MUSC 521: Advanced Guitar History and Literature

MUSC 536: Advanced Guitar Ensemble

MUSC 545: Advanced Guitar Pedagogy

MUSC 671: Advanced Private Guitar 

MUSC 672: Advanced Private Guitar 2

MUSC 695: Graduate-Lecture Recital

MUSC 697: Graduate Recital

Recordings

TRENT, R.S. Full solo album (2024) 鈥淓ast Meets West: Music of Ian Krouse and Ronald Pearl. Robert Trent, guitarist. Naxos Recording, LTD., Germany.

TRENT, R.S. Full solo album (2019) 鈥淏arcarolles & Fantasies 鈥 Music for 10-stringed guitar鈥, Robert Trent, guitarist. Soundset Records, Tuscon, Arizona.

TRENT, R.S. & AYSCUE, R., & NEWMAN, A. (2017) 鈥淪arabande track on 鈥淐oncerts Royaux 鈥 Music for flute, Harpsichord, Guitar, and Cello鈥. Robert Trent, Archlute. Epiphany Records, LTD, 

TRENT, R.S. & MARRS, L. & FRUEHWALD, R. (2009) 鈥淩obert Fruehwald: Music for Flutes and Guitars鈥. Oasis, Burbank, CA.

TRENT, R.S. & PETTY, B. (2007) 鈥淭raveler鈥檚 Tales 鈥 works by Byron Petty鈥. Robert Trent, guitar. Townhall Records 鈥 Ravello Records, East Chatham, NY.

TRENT, R.S. & TRENT, P.S. (2006) 鈥淚talian Nocturnes: Early Romantic Music for Guitar and Fortepiano鈥 Dorian Records, Troy, NY.

Print Publications

TRENT, R.S. (2018) 鈥淐oncerto Grosso No. VI by Alessandro Scarlatti, arranged for guitar orchestra, alto guitars and contrabass guitar. Guitar Chamber Music Press, Decatur, Ill.

TRENT, R.S. & GLISE, A. (2000) 鈥淐omplete Sonatas of Diabelli, Giuliani and Sor, Vol. 1鈥, Mel Bay, Pacific, MO.

Reviews of Recordings

鈥溾 worldclass performer鈥, for 鈥淓ast meets West: Music of Ian Krouse and Ronald Pearl.鈥 American Record Guide, (Jan/Feb. 2025)

鈥溾n hour of guitar playing that is simply breathtaking.鈥 鈥ConcertoNet.com

鈥淭his is a must-have CD.鈥 -Soundboard (Journal of the Guitar Foundation of America)

鈥淭his is a real exposition of Trent鈥檚 art, unfolding unhurriedly and ever gracefully like a flower opening to the sun鈥his is a recording of the first rank鈥. Fanfare. Review of 鈥淏arcarolles & Fantasies 鈥10-stringed guitar鈥 on Soundset Records.

鈥淭rent exploits that vibratory potency in performances of impeccable timing, liquid phrasing, and sophisticated timbral diversity. He鈥檚 assembled a program that gives full play to his coloristic gifts, variety of articulations, and skill鈥, Fanfare.

鈥淩obert Trent is a most accomplished guitarist鈥hile many players have played such works most satisfactorily on the standard guitar, Trent's marvelous-sounding instrument makes the case that these pieces are best heard in their original tonal garb.鈥 Soundboard.

鈥淧erhaps the best Chamber Music recording of the year.鈥 Fanfare. Review of 鈥淐oncert Royaux鈥 on Epiphany Recordings Ltd.  Robert Trent, archlute.

Concert Reviews

"His interpretations are dignified, formal, and carefully thought out, with a sense of structural integrity that informs every passing tone.鈥 New York Times.

鈥淎 SEASONED ARTIST STRUMS THE DEPTHS (headline) 鈥 Philadelphia Inquirer

鈥淚t was Robert Trent鈥檚 turn last night who was in charge of delighting the public in a sublime way鈥. Concert Review in Diario, Jaen (Espa帽a).

Honors and Awards

Dalton Eminent Scholar Award 鈥 91制片厂 (2021)

Distinguished Creative Scholar Award 鈥 91制片厂 (2020)

Distinguished Music Alumni Award 鈥 The College of New Jersey (2013)

McGlothlin Faculty Award (2012)

Grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts (2010 & 2011)

Faculty Development Grants 鈥 91制片厂 (1996 & 2005)

Career grants from The Johns Hopkins University - Peabody Conservatory (1998 & 2006)

National and International Performances

2024 Conservat贸rio Santa Cecilia (Rome, ITALY),2024 Milano 鈥800 Festival (ITALY)
2024, 23, 22, 21 GuitArt (Florida International University)
2023 Aveiro University (PORTUGAL)
2023 Iglesia Devan Matas (Madrid, SPAIN)
2023 XXIX Festival Internacional de M煤sica de Navas de San Juan & XXI
2017 Mahidol University (THAILAND)with students
2017 Saigon International Guitar Festival (VIETNAM)with students 
Caroso Festival (ITALY)
II Festival Internacional Maracay en Guitarra (VENEZUELA)
VII Festival Internacional de Guitarra Ramon Nobl茅 (MEXICO)
BRAVIO Festival (BRASIL-Brasilia)
Seminario Vital Medeiros (BRASIL)
2010 IV Festival de Guitarra Clasica de Los Cabos (MEXICO)
Festival Internacional de Guitarra de Angostura (VENEZUELA)
IV Festival de Guitarra Clasica de Los Cabos (MEXICO)
Primavera de la Guitarra (PARAGUAY)
Festival Condrogianos 鈥(ITALY)
Chartres International Festival of Music 鈥 Six Strings and the Spirit (FRANCE)
Concours International de Guitare, Maurice Ohana (FRANCE)

Guitar Studio and Guitar Ensemble Requirements

Membership in the 91制片厂 Guitar Ensemble is required of guitar students in the guitar studio and is open to minors and non-majors by audition. Its purpose is to building sight-reading, ensemble skills and finally performance skills.  For information and requirements, visit the Guitar Ensemble page.