Class Highlighted John D. Robb

MARCH 15, 22, 2013

John Donald Robb was the focus of a class at LifeLong Learning for New Mexicans. The course, “Discovering John Donald Robb,” explored his life and lasting contributions to New Mexico’s cultural heritage. 

David Oberg, an honorary member of the Robb Musical Trust Board of Directors, taught the March 15 and 22, 2013 course. Oberg is a longtime conductor and music educator.

Following is the course description from the LifeLong Learning catalogue: “John Donald Robb (1892-1989) was an attorney, arts educator, composer and a collector and arranger of folk music. Robb studied law at Yale and composition with, among others, Horatio Parker (Charles Ives’ teacher at Yale), Nadia Boulanger and Paul Hindemith. In 1941, he left a lucrative law practice in New York City to become chair of the UNM Music Department as well as dean of the UNM College of Fine Arts. During his long and active life, he wrote symphonies, concertos, chamber music, choral works, songs and operas.  Moreover, Robb was a preservationist of folk songs that form the nucleus of UNM’s Center for Southwest Research. We will explore his life and his lasting contributions to New Mexico’s cultural heritage. A commitment to active participation and listening skills is a critical part of our learning process.”

​LifeLong Learning is a volunteer-run organization that offers academic-level daytime lectures, courses and field trips to people 50-plus in the Albuquerque area.

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