On March 11, 2022, White Snake Projects presented their acclaimed art song series SING OUT STRONG: Remembered Voices honoring COVID losses in the United States featuring a vocal composition by Robert Howard, "Rancher Raymond's Last Sunset" performed by Tenor, Omar Najmi and Pianist Julia Carey. Robert was one of ten composers selected for this special and deeply moving recital project. Check out the page dedicated to this commission.
My name is Robert Howard, a composer and pianist from Santa Rosa, CA. When UCLA and the California Arts Council presented me with the Art and Accessibility Award for Individual Artists last year (June/2020), I finally had financial resources available to record, master and produce my premiere album, “Sound Offering.” This generous grant allowed me to continue working during the pandemic and remain focused on this deeply personal project that shared my journey through grief, pain and survival.
The effects of the high cost of living in Sonoma County are devastating. Housing is tenuous and opportunities to pursue dreams feel impossible under the weight of simply retaining housing. One crisis, even a minor one, can be life-altering, especially for those most at risk.
In 2017, Rob faced such a crisis and nearly lost everything. Mounting medical and veterinary costs, loss of his beloved service dog of fourteen years, and unscrupulous local housing practices cost him his home. For the first time in his life, he found himself couch surfing; his belongings scattered among several storage units. His chronic condition left him especially vulnerable to the effects of homelessness.
Robert Howard Ott is a musician and award winning composer who is a native Californian and who also grew up in WI and attended Lawrence University Conservatory of Music where he graduated with honors in 1984. His Bachelors of Music in Voice Performance was leading toward a vocal career until his instrument was lost due to a disabling and chronic health condition. Notating compositions when one is dyslexic is another disability and challenge Rob manages.
