Robert L. Hoffman was an accomplished clarinetist who played under Arturo Toscanini, Leopold Stokowski, Leonard Bernstein and Edwin Franko Goldman. Hoffman studied at the Ernest Williams School of Music, New York University, and Columbia University. He taught at NYU and Queens College. Hoffman also conducted the Princeton University Band, the Westbury Fire Department Band, and the Roslyn Recreation Band. The Robert L. Hoffman papers consists of correspondence, programs, clippings, memorabilia, scores, manuscripts and an audiotape documenting his performing and teaching career. The materials date from 1905 to 1995, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1931 to 1981.
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The Robert L. Hoffman papers consist of correspondence, programs, clippings, memorabilia, scores, manuscripts and an audiotape documenting his performing and teaching career. The materials date from 1905 to 1995, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1931 to 1981.
Robert L. Hoffman was born in Joliet, Illinois on February 23, 1914. He was the Illinois State Clarinet Solo Champion in 1930 and 1931. Hoffman moved to New York City at the age of 16 to study at the Ernest Williams School of Music; he received his degree from that school in 1934, and earned a B.S. from New York University in 1939. Hoffman was the first chair clarinet for the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini, and played for Leopold Stokowski and Leonard Bernstein. In later years, he performed in Goldman Band summer concert series under Edwin Franko Goldman. Hoffman taught at NYU and Queens College, and later taught wind instruments in Lindenhurst, NY. From Columbia University, he earned a Masters degree in 1964 and a Teacher's College Professional Diploma in 1967. Hoffman conducted the Princeton University Band, the Westbury Fire Department Band, and the Roslyn Recreation Band.
Hoffman married Lillian Macheras in 1940. He died July 26, 2003.
This collection is organized into two series.
The collection was donated by Robert Hoffman in 1996.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library