Artist: Robert Howard (Ott)
Title of artwork: Once Loved
Artist's Statement
The importance of relationships in the exchange of information, especially if the desire is to have more complete
and accurate information, relies on establishing trust and being open to all. Relating among humans begins with empathy which is a form of “love”.
“Once Loved” is an instrumental piece that evokes a memory that at some point in our lives, all of us were loved. If we start there, that All people, no matter their strengths and weaknesses—no matter their abilities or limitations, we all benefit with greater knowing when we begin with an open mind and loving heart.
Conference artists shared with the Center on KTDRR these biographical statements. The bios represent their choices about how to describe their expertise.
Robert Howard (Ott) lives in Santa Rosa, California and is a recording artist, musician and award-winning composer. Rob turned to creating music in order to heal and find new meaning following a health crisis. Trained as a classical vocalist at Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin and graduating with honors with a Bachelor’s of Music in Voice Performance (1983), Rob lost his singing voice due to medications required to save his life. The joy of performing music live seemed lost until Rob turned to composing in 2017.
“Sound Offering” released late in 2020, contains 14 contemporary classical works for solo piano and has won several awards. “Sound Offering” was supported by a 2020 Individual Artist-Art and Accessibility Award from National Arts and Disability Center at UCLA and California Arts Council; an Alliance for California Traditional Arts and 2020 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Musicians Award for compositions which honor “American Roots Music Traditions” including spirituals and hymns; a 2021 California Small Business Award; a 2021 Santa Rosa Musicians Award; and three ASCAP Plus+ Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023 for liturgical and concert music.
Learn more about Robert's music online: