New York, New York, United States
Robert Thompson is a two-time Grammy-nominated producer, musician, conductor, writer, and publisher. He served as President of Wise Music USA, overseeing Schirmer Theatrical, G. Schirmer, AMP, and Node Records. As Founder and President of Schirmer Theatrical in 2016, Thompson worked closely with leading artists and estates including Dolly Parton, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, The Beatles, Motown, David Bowie, Ravi Shankar, Philip Glass, and others. He also established strategic partnerships with Sony Music Publishing, NBCUniversal, and Warner Chappell to represent their concert and film music catalogs for live performance worldwide. Through Schirmer Theatrical, Thompson created and produced immersive, high-end theatrical concert experiences, including "THREADS" (co-created with Dolly Parton), "Revolution: The Music of The Beatles" (with Sony), "Women Rock", "Ennio Morricone: A Symphonic Experience", as well as live-to-picture orchestral presentations of films such as "Ghostbusters" (with Sony Pictures). Thompson founded Node Records in 2017, where he has executive-produced recordings including Stanley Clarke’s "Halston", Marco Beltrami’s "Free Solo", Academy Award–winner Rachel Portman’s "Ask the River", and Brian Byrne’s "Goldenhair", featuring Glenn Close and Julian Lennon. As a performer, Thompson has toured and appeared with artists including The Moody Blues, Yes, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennett. As a conductor, he has led major orchestras including the Houston, Seattle, San Diego, Detroit, Nashville, and Phoenix Symphonies, among many others. Thompson holds a doctorate in music from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of South Florida. He inaugurated the Arts Administration Program at SUNY Purchase College, where he served as Dean of Music and taught Arts & Entertainment Law and Music Entrepreneurship. He is the Past President of the Music Publishers Association of the USA. He has been featured in The New York Times, CBS Sunday Morning, and NPR for his work restoring and championing the music of composers such as Julius Eastman, Florence Price, and composers exiled during World War II. Thompson is co-author with former New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams, of "Rhythms of the Game" (foreword by Paul Simon), which explores the connection between musical artistry and athletic performance.
Taught Arts & Entertainment Law, Intro to Music Business/Arts Administration
Served as interim Dean of the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College (interim from 2008-10) and Inaugural Director of its Arts Administration program.