Instrumental Music

Director's Notes

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Robert Harrell was heavily active in the local music scene. He was involved whole-heartedly in music at Santa Barbara High School, was solo trumpet chair in the Monday Madness Big Band his senior year of high school, and played bass professionally with local jazz groups and theater companies. Robert received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Biola University, where he played trumpet in the jazz ensemble, symphonic winds, brass ensemble, and brass quintet. He also played upright and electric bass for the jazz combo and vocal jazz group, and was president and student conductor of the symphonic winds.

He began his educational career at Los Alamitos High School, where he was the long-term sub for the Jazz and Orchestra programs, and he will never forget the rewarding time that he shared with his students that year. In December of 2022, Robert graduated with his Masters of Arts in Teaching from Biola University. Robert is grateful and honored to be in his seventh year at Oak Middle School. Every day he is inspired by the passion, dedication, and joy of his students. He couldn’t ask for a better place to be.