Robert Gras
Unit Director, Front ensemble and auxiliary percussion arrangements, front ensemble tech, visual design

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• Experience
  • 15 years teaching public school band
  • 9 years of marching percussion experience
  • Owner of Educators Music Service
  • Degree in music education/percussion performance

Robert Gras is a 1987 graduate of Charlotte High School and a 1993 graduate of Western Michigan University. He holds a degree in music education and  performance. His principal instrument is percussion.

From 1994-2001 Robert was the Director of Bands at Bay City Central High School and Bay City Handy Middle School. Under his direction the high school program grew to include 4 concert bands, 2 jazz bands, a pit orchestra and a 220 member marching band. He served as musical director for the school musicals Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street, the Music Man and West Side Story. Robert also served as the associate conductor of the Bay Concert Band and served as President of the Bay Music Foundation. His ensembles received consistent superior ratings in MSBOA District Concert and Marching Band festivals.

In 2001 Robert took over as Band Director for the Algonac Community Schools. During his tenure the High School enrollment has increased from 35 to 101. The MS program enrollment has increased to include an average of 50% of the middle school population. The Algonac bands have received consistent Good and Superior ratings at MSBOA District Marching and Concert Band Festivals and MSBOA State Band Festivals. The HS Marching Band participated in Disney's Magic Music Days in 2003 and won a Superior rating at the 2006 Dixie Classic Festival in Chicago, Illinois.

Robert was a seven year member of Mid-Atlantic Band Camps of Virigina and has also taught at numerous marching and concert band summer camps in Michigan, Virginia, North and South Carolina and Ohio. He has performed with the Battle Creek Symphony, Tony Bennett, Bay Concert Band, Saint Clair County Community College Band and the Comstock Concert Band.

Robert owns and operates Music Educators Service, a company that provides custom drills for marching bands and as well as original publications for concert, symphonic and marching bands and percussion ensemble.

Mr. Gras currently resides in Algonac, Michigan with his wife Cheryl, daughter Deanna, and son Tristan.