Our Maestro - Robert Romanski
A native of Sarasota, Robert Romanski is a graduate of the University of South Florida with Bachelor’s degrees in both applied music and music education, as well as a Master’s degree in conducting. He has also completed ninety Doctoral Credit Hours toward a PhD in Music Education, also at the University of South Florida.
The MVP of Conductors - Romanski is hailed by critics as being the “MVP” of Conductors, able to execute Symphonic Literature, Opera, Ballet, Oratorio, Pops, Band AND Choral Repertoire, with expertise and aplomb. Mr. Romanski currently holds the titles of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the North Port Symphony, and the Mostly Pops Orchestra of Tampa, Director of Music Ministries at Christ Church, Longboat Key, Co-Artistic Director (and Co-Founder) of the Brandon Choral Society, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Tampa Bay Opera, and serves as Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of South Florida, Barry University, Eckerd College and Hillsborough Community College.
Previous Accomplishments - He has previously served as Artistic Director for the Pinellas Youth Symphony, Director of Choral Activities at Hillsborough Community College, Director of Music Ministries for Ruskin United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, Artistic Director of the Sarasota Choral Society, Music Director of the Tampa Ballet, Adjunct Professor of Music at St. Leo University, and Professor of Trumpet at the University of Tampa, Florida Southern College, St. Petersburg College, and the Pinellas County Center For The Arts (PCCA).
Robert recently was privileged to have been the Guest Conductor for a special Christmas concert with the world acclaimed Celtic-style women’s group, “Cherish The Ladies,” performing with the Florida Orchestra. Other recent highlights include touring with the Boston Pops Orchestra, serving as the Assistant Conductor for Maestro Keith Lockhart (the Pops’ Florida tour included 10 concerts in 10 days), conducting the orchestral track for a performance of “O Holy Night” for Yanni (seen and heard on Christmas Day, during the ABC Disney Christmas Parade), conducting the soundtrack music for a national Walt Disney World Commercial (the “Balloon Campaign – Celebrate You”), conducting Mozart, Motown and More, with the Florida Orchestra, a Florida Orchestra Super Pops Series, featuring Tito Puente, Jr., directing for acclaimed tenor, Daniel Rodriguez (the “singing policeman”), with the Florida Orchestra, and working on Grammy Winning Recording Artist Jon Secada’s latest CD Release – “Same Dream”
In addition to receiving Liner Credit for conducting three of the tracks, Mr. Romanski can be seen in the Enhanced CD video conducting and producing the project), conducting for Frank Wildhorn and Rob Evans (Jekyll & Hyde), serving as Music Director for a State of Florida Hurricane Benefit featuring Patrick Wilson (Raoul, “Phantom of the Opera” Movie), and conducting for Craig Shulman and Kim Crosby, in a Phantom, Les Miz, and Jekyll & Hyde Tribute Concert.
He has also been seen conducting the Imaginary Frontier Symphony in Orlando, with President George H. W. Bush as the guest speaker, conducting for James Taylor with the Southwest Florida Symphony, and conducting for Doc Severinsen with the Florida Orchestra. In 2004, his schedule included serving as an International Choral Clinician, taking a Festival Choir on tour to Vienna, Budapest and Prague. On Broadway, Mr. Romanski conducted on the project, Baz Luhrman’s “La Boheme,” and also served as conductor for the Florida leg of the touring production of “Fosse.”
Mr. Romanski has conducted orchestras throughout the Southeast, with a variety of guest performers, such as Diane Schurr, Ann Reinking, Larry Elgart, Mickey Gilley, Linda Eder, Roberta Flack, Hulk Hogan, George Steinbrenner and Elvis Wade. He has also performed on stage with hundreds of artists and entertainers, including Henry Mancini, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Hamlisch, Liberace, Yanni, Skitch Henderson, Robert Goulet, Donald O’Connor, Carol Channing, Victor Borge, Andy Williams, Joel Grey, Rosemary Clooney, Roberta Peters, Dinah Shore, Burt Bacharach, Peter Allen, the Temptations, and the Four Tops.
In addition, he has helped to produce tours for Josh Groban, Peter Cetera, Rod Stewart, Sarah Brightman, Mannheim Steamroller, Il Divo, Dennis DeYoung (STYX), the Moody Blues, Diana Ross and the Irish Tenors. He has also served as the Musical Contractor of the Opera Tampa Orchestra, hiring and managing orchestras for the produced operas at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, working under acclaimed Maestro Anton Coppolla.