First Name:
Robert
Last Name:
McCormac
Main Title:
Visiting Instructor of Music
(Music Theory and Appalachian Music)
Email:
Type:
Area(s):
Robert (Rob) McCormac, originally from Asheville, NC, lives a musical life in the broadest sense. As a performer, Rob specializes in acoustic music traditions of the American South, and performs with the Billboard-charting bluegrass band Cane Mill Road, which was recently named the “Momentum Band of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association. In this capacity, Rob has performed throughout the United States and Europe at notable festivals and venues ranging from Merlefest (NC) to the Berklee Performing Arts Center (MA).
As a scholar, Rob fluidly navigates between the fields of music theory and ethnomusicology. His academic interests include old-time and bluegrass music, the cultural history of Appalachia, historiography, musical participation, genre theory, the Highlander Folk School and Black Mountain College, and music theory/music history pedagogy. Rob has presented his scholarship at conferences for regional organizations including the South Central Society for Music Theory, College Music Society (Southern Region), and the Appalachian Regional Commission Teaching Project, and has been accepted to national conferences for the College Music Society, Appalachian Studies Association, and the Pedagogy into Practice conference.
Rob completed his undergraduate studies in Music Performance at Appalachian State University's Hayes School of Music. He consequently received both a Master of Music in Music Performance and a Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies (Culture and Music) from App State. During this period Rob also completed the graduate certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy and Technology as part of the inaugural cohort. Cane Mill Road is proudly sponsored by Deering Banjos, GHS Strings, Shubb Capos, Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Company, Kogut Violins, NS Design, and Fishman Amplification. Rob personally plays guitars made by Ken Hooper of Elkin, NC.