MASTA Career Achievement Award 

The Career Achievement Award is awarded by nomination and election by the MASTA Board.

MASTA is proud to celebrate the career of Robert Culver, the 2011 MASTA Career Achievement Award honoree. The Award was presented to Bob at the MASTA Luncheon and General Board Meeting, held in January at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids.

Born, raised and educated in Oregon, Bob’s teaching career began in 1959. After several successful years teaching, Bob enrolled at the Eastman School of Music and earned his Masters in Viola Performance. Upon graduation, he was hired by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. After a few years as a professional musician, Bob was offered a studio teaching position at The Ohio State University; a position that also involved teaching string methods. During his 11 years at OSU, Bob founded the Columbus Symphony Cadet Orchestra, the Ohio Music Camps, and the OSU Summer String Workshop. In addition, he also started several string programs and placed many graduates in string jobs. Then Michigan called. 

While at the University of Michigan, Bob’s fame and influence as an educator became worldwide. He has presented clinics in 15 countries and 47 states; he has conducted All-State Orchestras in 42 states and, too-numerous-to-count, regional and district orchestras. Bob has also produced a great number of string teachers and performers that have made an impact across the country. In addition to all of these achievements, Bob has been a passionate and active member of ASTA. Bob served as national ASTA president, and six of his former students have gone on to serve ASTA in that same role. Nearly one year ago, ASTA awarded Bob its Distinguished Service Award.

Bob Culver’s impact on string teaching in Michigan, and his influence on MASTA in particular has also been enormous. He has encouraged a multitude of musicians to join the American String Teachers Association. And by doing so, they have gained so much from this important professional organization. Past graduates of his have gone on to serve as state chapter board members and project directors, thereby shaping the future of state chapters, their members and students. Bob has also left a legacy behind in the programs that he inspired and created here in Michigan. The numbers of students and future teachers that have benefited from these programs have been many (myself included). Although Bob has now retired from professional life, I believe his influence will remain active and ongoing. 

We all have had people in our lives that have shaped us as musicians and teachers. We can revel in the artistry of Carlos Kleiber conducting a Beethoven overture and Henryk Szeryng playing a Bach sonata. But for so many of us within and outside of this room, Bob Culver was the one that showed us there could be equal artistry in the act of teaching. Once more, he was able to unlock the secrets behind that artistry. It is indeed a great honor and pleasure to present to Robert Culver the 2011 MASTA Career Achievement Award.”

Past MASTA Career Achievement Award winners:
2011 Robert Culver
2009 Laura Sias