Robert Guthrie | An Honorary Tribute

Robert (Bob) Guthrie was a world-class guitarist, international concert artist, teacher, and composer who was the second person in the United States to receive a degree in classical guitar performance in the 1960’s under a scholarship recommendation of Andres Segovia to study with Jesus Silva. He studies also included Andres Segovia, Jose Tomas, Celedonio Romero, and Alirio Diaz.

Robert was well known to American audiences through his many appearances as recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber player, and guitar duet player. He has made recordings for National Public Radio (NPR) and was the subject of a PBS documentary highlighting his performance virtuosity and teaching expertise. In addition to his concert appearance throughout the United States, he has performed throughout Mexico, Italy, Russia, Spain and Venezuela.

Robert was also a dedicated teacher, and his passion for the guitar extended to his students. His teaching credits include hundreds of master’s classes in universities and conservatories throughout the US and worldwide. He was a faculty member at Yale University, the Boston Conservatory, the Aspen Music Festival, and served as head of the guitar program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas from 1973-2022.

In addition to his 50-year tenure as professor of classical guitar at SMU, Robert also taught at the Aspen Music festival in the late 70’s and early 80’s and also gave renowned masterclasses in Taos, New Mexico for 15 years where he taught groups of aspiring classical guitarist’s/concert artists. In addition to his career as a classical guitarist, Robert was also a tremendous and talented flamenco guitarist as well.

Robert has recorded 7 recordings in his life-time as an independent artist that feature Bach, Villa-Lobos, as well as numerous Spanish and Latin composers, as well as his own compositions. His numerous recordings can be found on YouTube.

Bob was and is the first and preeminent classical guitar teacher and concert artist in Texas and one of earliest classical guitar concert artists in the United States.