A native of Onawa, Iowa, Robert Gibson’s first experience in orchestral playing was with the Siouxland Youth Symphony where he was a winner of the Concerto Competition in 1976. Three years later while a student at Morningside College, he was appointed 2nd trumpet of the SCSO where he played alongside his longtime teacher, Gary Slechta. Gibson was appointed Principal Trumpet in 1993, performing the Gershwin Piano Concerto in F in his debut concert. During his tenure, he has been soloist for Stravinsky’s Le Histoire du Soldat, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #2, and was conductor and featured soloist for the Concerto for 7 trumpets and Timpani on a SCSO concert that also featured the Verdi Requiem.
Gibson furthered his education at the University of Iowa studying with David Greenhoe and receiving an MA in brass performance and pedagogy. He did additional graduate study at the University of North Texas with Leonard Candelaria.
In addition, Gibson has performed with the Omaha, Des Moines, and South Dakota Symphonies, as well as the Kansas City Lyric Opera. He has also performed in many other genres, leading his own jazz orchestra, playing with several regional big bands, and such pop artists as Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons, The Temptations, and Frankie Avalon. He has performed with the Sioux City Municipal Band and served as its Assistant Director for 14 seasons.
Mr. Gibson made a career in music education teaching instrumental music. The last 29 years were spent exclusively at the middle school level in the Sioux City Community Schools as well as Sacred Heart before retiring in 2023. He also serves as the director of the Briar Cliff University Jazz Ensemble, a group that he formed in 2007.
He and his wife MaryHelen reside in Sioux City and enjoy the 6 children and 10 grandchildren between them as well as their 2 very spoiled dogs.
