Robert Duff

Associate Professor of the Practice of Music and Choral Conductor

Departments/Programs

Music

Degrees

University of Southern California, D.M.A.
Temple University, M.M.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, B.A.

Expertise

Choral music, conducting, vocal pedagogy, vocal repertoire

Profile

Robert Duff is in his se venth year at Brandeis University as Associate Professor of the Practice of Choral Music. At Brandeis University, he oversees the vocal program, conducts the Brandeis choral ensembles, teaches conducting and choral methods, and serves as the Performance Track advisor for vocalists. Duff also serves as the Director of Music at Saint Cecilia Church in Boston, MA and is the conductor emeritus of the Handel Society at Dartmouth College. He has served on the faculties of Pomona College, Claremont Graduate University and Mount St. Mary’s College. He holds degrees in conducting, piano, and voice from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Temple University and the University of Southern California.

An active commissioner of new music, Duff has given several world premieres of works for both orchestral and choral forces. He served as Council to the New Hampshire Council on the Arts, and is the Past President of the Eastern Division of the American Choral Directors Association.

Courses Taught

MUS	81a	Brandeis University Chamber Singers
MUS	81b	Brandeis University Chamber Singers
MUS	82a	University Chorus
MUS	82b	University Chorus
MUS	88a	Small Ensemble for Leonard Bernstein Fellows
MUS	88b	Chamber Music for Leonard Bernstein Fellows
MUS	112a	Private Instruction: Voice
MUS	112b	Private Instruction: Voice
MUS	117a	Junior Recital I
MUS	117b	Junior Recital II
MUS	118a	Senior Recital I
MUS	118b	Senior Recital II

Awards and Honors

Recipient: Teaching and Innovation Research Grant (2018 - 2019)

Awardee, Teaching Fellows Program (2017 - 2018)

Scholarship

Brandeis Alma Mater for 2021 mini-commencement ceremonies. By Irving Fine. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, University Chorus and alumnae, Slosberg Concert Hall, May 15, 2021. (forthcoming)

Chamber Singers Learning Module 3: Madrigals and Motets of Love. By Giovanni da Palestrina, Elaine Hagenberg, Thomas Weelkes, Healy Willan, Rene Clausen. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg Concert Hall, May 4, 2021. (forthcoming)

University Chorus Learning Module 3: Contemporary American Choral Work for Treble Voices. By Emma Lou Diemer, Gwynneth Walker, Joan Szmyko, Eric Whitacre. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus, Slosberg Concert Hall, May 4, 2021. (forthcoming)

Handel: Messiah. By Georg Friderich Handel. Conductor Duff, Robert. Dartmouth College, Spaulding Auditorium, May 18 and 19, 2019. (forthcoming)

Spring Choral Program. By Works by Britten, Corigliano, Brahms, Rheinberger, Bach, Gibbs and Dawson. Conductor Duff, Robert. Slosberg Recital Hall, 04/14/2019. (forthcoming)

Brandeis Alma Mater for 2020 Commencement. By Irving Fine. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg Concert Hall, May 15, 2020.

Chamber Singers Learning Module 1: Contemporary Choral Composers. By Andrea Clearfield, Craig Hella Johnson, Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg Concert Hall, September 15, 2020.

Chamber Singers Learning Module 1: Songs of Hope. By Eric Whitacre, Alice Parker, Jeffrey Ames,. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg Concert Hall, February 25, 2021.

Chamber Singers Learning Module 2: Coro Spezzati. By Andrea Gabrieli, Heinrich Schutz, Claudio Monteverdi and Adrian Willaert. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg Concert Hall, October 8, 2020.

Chamber Singers Learning Module 2: Music of the Conservatoire de Paris. By Maurice Ravel, Oliver Messiaen, Francis Poulenc, Gabriel Faure. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg Concert Hall, March 30, 2021.

Chamber Singers Learning Module 3: The Choral Works of J.S. Bach. By Johann Sebastian Bach. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, voice instructors, professional musicians, Slosberg Concert Hall, Saint Cecilia Church, Boston and virtual performances from remote locations, November 19, 2020.

University Chorus Learning Module 1: Folksongs from around the Globe. By Rollo Dillworth, Donald Patriquin, Jennifer Wolfe and Delores Keane. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus, Slosberg Concert Hall, September 24, 2020.

University Chorus Learning Module 1: Music of the Baroque. By G.F. Handel, J.S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus, Slosberg Concert Hall, February 25, 2021.

University Chorus Learning Module 2: The Italian and English Madrigal. By Claudio Monteverdi, Jacob Clemens non Papa, Thomas Morley. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus, Slosberg Concert Hall, March 30, 2021.

University Chorus Learning Module 2: The Oratorio. By Giocomo Carrisimi, J.S. Bach, F.J. Haydn, G.F. Handel, Felix Mendelssohn. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus, Slosberg Concert Hall, October 22, 2020.

University Chorus Learning Module 3: The Choral Works of Ludwig van Beethoven. By Beethoven. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus, Brandeis Chamber Singers and Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra, Slosberg Concert Hall, November 19, 2020.

Betsayda Machado Performance. By Machado. Conductor Duff, Robert. Betsayda Machado and ensemble, University Chorus, Slosberg Concert Hall, March 7, 2020.

Irving Fine Memorial Concert. By Irving Fine. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg Concert Hall, March 29, 2020 (cancelled due to University closure).

Joint Concert with Springville High School Concert Choir (UT). By Elgar, Fine, Britten, Ticheli and Lauridsen. conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Saint Cecilia Church, 18 Belvidere Street, Boston, MA, March 20, 2020 (cancelled due to University closure).

Mandel Center Performance. By Elgar, Fine, Britten, Janequin, Ticheli, Lauridsen. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Mandel Center, February 12, 2020.

Messiah Sing. By Handel. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis University Chorus, Brandeis Chamber Singers and Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra, Shapiro Student Center, 12/11/19.

Spring Choral Concert. By Schubert, Mendelssohn, Fine, Bach. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, University Chorus and orchestra, Slosberg Concert Hall, April 19, 2020 (cancelled due to University closure).

University Chorus - Fall Choral Concert. By Bartok, Vivaldi, Dillworth, Morley, Rutter. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis University Chorus, Slosberg, 11/17/2019.

Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem. By Johannes Brahms. Conductor Duff, Robert. Dartmouth College, Spaulding Auditorium, 11/13/18.

Brandeis Chamber Singers Fall Choral Concert. By Elgar, Janequin, Britten, Lauridsen, Ticheli, Hindemith, Dillworth. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg, 11/17/2019.

International Tour Concert. By Works by Ginsberg, Bennet, Gibbons, Durufle, Brahms, Rheinberger, Dinstein, Kirchner, Bernstein, Dawson and Gibbs. Conductor Duff, Robert. Antonin Dvorak Museum, Prague, Czech Republic, 2/20/19.

International Tour Concert. By Works by Ginsberg, Bennet, Gibbons, Durufle, Brahms, Rheinberger, Dinstein, Kirchner, Bernstein, Dawson and Gibbs. Conductor Duff, Robert. Imperial Capuchin Church, Vienna, Austria, 02/16/19.

International Tour Concert. By Works by Ginsberg, Bennet, Gibbons, Durufle, Brahms, Rheinberger, Dinstein, Kirchner, Bernstein, Dawson and Gibbs. Conductor Duff, Robert. St. Nicholas Church, Prague, Czech Republic, 2/19/19.

International Tour perofrmance. By Works by Ginsberg, Bennet, Gibbons, Durufle, Brahms, Rheinberger, Dinstein, Kirchner, Bernstein, Dawson and Gibbs. Conductor Duff, Robert. New Synagogue, Trebic, Czech Republic, 2/18/19.

Sing Me A Home. By Works by Brahms, Runestead, Durufle, Ginsberg, Dinerstein, Rheinberger, Barber, Bernstein, Kichner, Parton, and Johnson. Conductor Duff, Robert. Slosberg Recital Hall, Nov. 11, 2018.

Dvorak's Stabat Mater and Bach's Magnificat in D. By Dvorak and Bach. Conductor Duff, Robert. Handel Society of Dartmouth College, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Spaulding Auditorium, 5/20/2017.

Duff, Robert. "Graduate Conducting Masterclass." American Choral Directors Association Eastern Region. Pittsburgh, PA. 03/09/2018.

Duff, Robert. "Undergraduate Conducting Masterclass." American Choral Directors Association Eastern Region. Pittsburgh, PA. 03/09/2018.

2016 Brandeis Commencement Services. By Irving Fine and Francis Scott Key. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Gosman Athletic Center, May 22, 2016.

2016 Brandeis University Presidential Inauguration. By Bernstein, Paulus, Francis Scott Key. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers and University Chorus, with professional orchestra and soloist, Gosman Athletic Center, November 3, 2016.

2017 Italy Tour - Brandeis Chamber Singers. By Monteverdi, Palestrina, Carissimi, Bloch, Rachmaninoff, Paulus, Hogan, Dorsey, Parker. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican), Oratorio di Santa Crociffiso (Rome), Grand Synagogue (Florence), Conservatorio di Luigi Cherubini (Florence), February 16-24, 2017.

Brandeis Chamber Singers Spring 2017 performance. By Carissimi, Palestrina, Debussy, Monteverdi, Parker, Paulus, Dorsey. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg Music Center, 04/23/2017.

Gondwana Chorale Exchange Concert. By Palestrina, Monteverdi, Bloch, Rachmaninoff, Runstead, Orlovich, Sisask, Maclean, Stanhope, Guttierez. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers and Gondwana Chorale, Slosberg Music Center, February 3, 3017.

Let Us Begin: Celebrating the Legacy of John F. Kennedy. By Barnwell, Reiersrud, Green, Chydenius, Esenvalds, Ames, Green. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Slosberg Music Center, 11/05/2017.

Missa Brevis in D. By Zoltan Kodaly. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus, Slosberg Music Center, 11/19/2017.

NewBridge on the Charles. By Bernstein, Rachmaninoff, Paulus, Palestrina, Hogan, Dorsey. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers, Newbridge on the Charlles Retirement Community, December 4, 2016.

Requiem and Lux Aeterna. By Mozart, Lauridsen. Conductor Duff, Robert. Handel Society of Dartmouth College and five high schools from VT and NH, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Spaulding Auditorium, 11/14/2017.

Songs of Hope. By Esenvalds, Lukaweski, Paulus, Part, Parton, Palestrina, Victoria. Conductor Duff, Robert. Handel Society of Dartmouth College, Churches in Tallin, Estonia, Riga and Sigulda, Latvia, Vilnius, Lithuania, and Warsaw and Krakov, Poland, December 6-19, 2016.

The Road Home. By Bernstein, Paulus, Mendelssohn, Palestrina, Rachmaninoff, Burleigh, Dorsey. Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis Chamber Singers and University Chorus, Slosberg Music Center, November 20, 2016.

University Chorus Spring 2017 Concert. By Vivaldi, Hogan, Childs, Basler, Arnesen. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus, Slosberg Music Center, 04/02/2017.

2016 Spring Concert. By Bach, Brahms, Whitacre, Gjeilo, Ling Tam, Erb, Hogan, Mooney, Copland, Finzi, Dillworth, Rojas, Shover. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus and Chamber Choir, Slosberg Concert Hall, April 10, 2016.

Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra Concert: Choral Fantasy. By Beethoven. Chorus Conductor Duff, Robert. Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra, Brandeis University Chorus and soloists, Houghton Chapel, Wellesley College, April 17, 2016.

Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra Concert. By Beethoven. Preparatory Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus and Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra, Slosberg Concert Hall, April 17, 2016.

Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra concert. By Beethoven. Preparatory Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus and Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra, Wellesley College Chapel, April 16, 2016.

Songs for Tower Hills Botanic Garden. By Lauridsen, Britten, Palestrina, Fine, Rutter, Barber. Conductor Duff, Robert. Chamber Choir, Tower Hills Botanic Garden, Northboro, MA, 2/28/2016.

Duff, Robert. Osculetur Me. Forthcoming, 2016.

For the Beauty of the Earth. By Mozart, Rutter, Barber, Britten, Bloch, Clearfield, Thompson, Bennet, Palestrina, Victoria. Conductor Duff, Robert. University Chorus and Chamber Choir, Slosberg Concert Hall, November 8, 2015.

Duff, Robert. O Vos Omnes. forthcoming, 2015.

Duff, Robert. Vox dilecti. Forthcoming, 2015.