Rob Halpner is a composer, arranger and sound designer, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His unbridled passion for the marching arts began in 2016. Since that time, he has marched six seasons of Drum Corps with The Bluecoats, Santa Clara Vanguard, and The Academy, as well as four WGI seasons with Monarch Independent Percussion; all in the position of lead synth player.

Rob has the privilege of working professionally with The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps as a member of the audio team. Additionally, he works with several high school marching bands including Avon High School in Avon, Indiana and Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas.

As an arranger, Rob has written percussion music and sound design for ensembles including Marcus High School, Manvel High School, Upper St. Clair High School, and colleges including the University of North Texas and the University of Cincinnati. Rob also serves as a staff composer on the design team for Monarch Independent Percussion.

Rob earned his Bachelor’s Degree (’22) in Music Composition from the University of North Texas, where he studied composition in the studio of Dr. Sungji Hong and classical piano in the studio of Gustavo Romero. During his time at UNT, Rob was a member of numerous ensembles performing with the instrumental and vocal jazz bands, the concert band, the steel band, and the Green Brigade Marching Band.

Now living in Indianapolis, Rob is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Music Education at Butler University where he serves as the teaching assistant to Dr. Trae Blanco and the Wind Ensemble, performs as a member of the Butler University Percussion Ensemble, and studies percussion under the direction of Jon Crabiel.