Lindahl, Robert

Dr. Robert Lindahl, professor of music, teaches applied trombone, brass pedagogy, and jazz studies for Central Michigan University. He also directs the CMU Trombone Choir (which was selected to perform at the Michigan Music Conference in January 2009), Jazz Bone - the CMU jazz trombone ensemble, and coaches brass quintets and trombone quartets. He is an artist and educational consultant for Selmer Bach Musical Instruments and has served as guest clinician and performer throughout the United States. He has played regularly with the CMU Faculty Jazz Combo, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Central Michigan Faculty Brass Quintet, CMU Graduate Trombone Quartet, The Michigan Jazz Trails Big Band, and the River Raisin Ragtime Revue. With the River Raisin Ragtime Revue he recently recorded a CD of 19 historic tracks featuring the trombone entitled “A Blaze of Glory”. He served as principal trombonist with the Midland Symphony Orchestra from 1993-2003. He has also performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Bay City Bijou Orchestra, Saginaw Bay Symphony, Traverse City Symphony Orchestra and the Lansing Symphony Big Band. He has also appeared with Summit Brass, Wayne Newton, the Henri Busse Orchestra, Patti Page, Dave Brubeck, The New Rat Pack, The Harry James Orchestra, The Four Tops, Natalie Cole, the Bill Tole Orchestra, Johnny Mathis, Bobby Vinton, The Temptations, Kansas, Robert Goulet, Aretha Franklin, Bernadette Peters, Doc Severinson, Don Rickles, Walt Disney World on Ice, the Ice Capades, and Rudolph Nureyev. 

​​Lindahl served as the National Music Advisor for Delta Omicron Professional Music Fraternity from 2006-2009 and has been Chapter Adviser for the Delta Iota Chapter since 1995. He has served as the Chair of the National Finance Committee for Delta Omicron since 2009. He remains an active member of the International Trombone Association. He adjudicates regularly for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and his chief interests include research in early jazz history and trombone pedagogy. In 1998, Lindahl was recognized by Central Michigan University's Mortar Board organization as an outstanding faculty and in 1999, he received the "Excellence in Teaching" award from CMU. He holds degrees from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Youngstown State University, and Arizona State University. His trombone teachers have included Gail E. Wilson, Mike Crist, Vern Kagarice, Dean Farnham, and Frank Bolte.

In addition to his duties at CMU, Dr. Lindahl enjoys serving as faculty sponsor and advisor for the Delta Iota Chapter of Delta Omicron. He was a member of the board of directors of Art Reach of Mid Michigan from 1993-1998. He received the Michigan Campus Compact Faculty/Staff Award for Service Learning in 1995 for his work with academic-related service learning. In 1996, Lindahl was a finalist for the Governor's Community Service Award and in 1999 was named "Volunteer of the Year" by Art Reach of Mid Michigan for his work with community music programs. In 1997, the CMU Activities Board presented him with an outstanding advisor award for service to Delta Omicron Professional Music Fraternity. In 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2004 he was named "Advisor of the Year" by the International Professional Music Fraternity Delta Omicron, and in 2001, he was recognized by the Professional Fraternity Association as their "University Advisor of the Year."

Prior to employment at CMU, Dr. Lindahl served as band director for the Titusville, PA Area Schools from 1980-85, and director of bands at Eastern New Mexico University from 1987-92, where he also served as assistant director of the School of Music from 1989-92.

Recent Scholarships

"A Blaze of Glory: A Trombone Misunderstanding". River Raisin Ragtime Revue. White Pine Music, 2020.

"Nobody is Somebody". Daniel Washington, Vocalist, and River Raisin Ragtime Revue. WW Records, 2018.

"An American Original". River Raisin Ragtime Revue Live in Concert. William Pemberton, director and narrator. Ann Arbor, MI: R4 Recordings, 2015.

"An American Original". River Raisin Ragtime Revue Live in Concert.  Ann Arbor, MI: R4 Recordings, 2015.

"Animal Fair". River Raisin Ragtime Revue. William Pemberton, Director. Ann Arbor, MI: R4 Recordings, 2013.

“Conspiracy Theory: Music of Robbie Smith”, CMU Fac Jazz, 2010.

“Caught in the Act: Music of Robbie Smith”, CMU Fac Jazz,  2007.

Lindahl, Robert, ed. Les Toreadors. Carmen Suite No. 1 by Georges Bizet. Arr. for 12 Trombones. Denton, TX: KBE, 2012.

Lindahl, Robert, ed. Les Dragons d’Alcala. Carmen Suite No. 1 by Georges Bizet. Arr. for 12 Trombones. Denton, TX: KBE, 2012.​