Robert Summers Potterton III (b. 1986) has been establishing himself as a composer,
conductor, keyboardist, and music educator for nearly a decade. He has worked in
virtually every genre, from ancient chant to electronica, combining his classical
training with years of experience in improvisation. He is presently employed as Minister
of Music & Organist at Saint Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dedham, Massachusetts.
A native of Connecticut, Robert began studying piano and organ at age eleven,
after years of playing solely by ear. He was responsible for much of the musical
activity at his high school, including acting as choir accompanist, worship team
leader, and pianist for nearly all of the school’s events, including seven consecutive
graduation ceremonies. A self-taught composer and conductor until age eighteen, he
engaged in writing for theater and local television productions while still in high
school, in addition to regularly performing for a number of area churches.
In
2008, Robert graduated from Houghton College with the Bachelor of Music degree, cum
laude, with double-majors in Composition and Organ Performance and minors in Bible
and Applied Harpsichord. While in college, he became involved with independent film
scoring and songwriting, establishing valuable connections with directors, producers,
lyricists, and musicians from as far away as Singapore. During his first year in
college, he received the Service Playing Certificate from the AGO. He participated
twice in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Young Composers Forum, and went on to
receive scholarships for organ and music entrepreneurship during his final two years.
At age twenty, he became one of the youngest Deans in the history of the American
Guild of Organists, and received highest marks on both of his senior recitals.
Robert
currently resides outside of Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife, Carissa. In addition
to pursuing full-time composition and organ practice this coming year, he hopes to
begin study towards a graduate degree, eventually leading to doctoral study in composition.
His current projects include a videogame being produced in England, a musical written
by a well-known Illinois playwright, and an oboe concerto for April Cap, who has
appeared with Yanni and Josh Groban.
