rob blaney |
took the helm of the University High School Vocal Music Department beginning in the 2021 -
2022 school year. |
what he does |
Mr. Blaney conducts 5 choirs at University High School including the University Choir (2 sections), Canta Bella, Vocal Eclipse (pop/rock acapella), and Madrigals, and teaches Music Technology. He also serves as the Music Director (vocals and orchestra) and accompanist for the Spring musical.
In his first year at University High School, the Vocal Music Program grew by 62% and two new sections of choir were added for the 2022/2023 school year. Mr. Blaney served as the vocal and orchestra director for The SpongeBob Musical, which was named as one of the "Top 5 Musicals of the Year" and "Top 5 Orchestras of the Year" by the Cappies Awards. The MACY Awards named The SpongeBob Musical the "Top Contemporary Musical of the Year" as well as "Orchestra of the Year" out of all participating high school musicals in Orange County. In 2023, the OC Cappies Awards named the orchestra for Urinetown one of the top 5 orchestras out of all participating high school musicals in Orange County. |
History |
Before coming to University High School, Mr. Blaney was the Director of Choral Activities and Conductor at Lutheran High School of Orange County, and then spent 3 years as the inaugural Director of Performing Arts at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine where he developed a flourishing program consisting of drama, choir, band, orchestra, musical theatre, and praise band.
From 2010 -2021 he was the Director of Vocal Music at Woodbridge High School in Irvine. Under his leadership, the Vocal Music Program grew from 3 choirs to 6 (involving over 240 students), and in 2016 Woodbridge was named the National GRAMMY Signature School for excellence in music education. Mr. Blaney has taught classes in musical theatre at Concordia University and Santa Ana College, and has held staff accompanist positions at Santa Ana College, Cal State Fullerton, and several large southern California churches. Mr. Blaney has enjoyed a career in musical theatre for the past 35 years, during which he has musically directed, conducted, and/or accompanied well over 300 productions, working with many leading theatre organizations including Theatre League, Sacramento Music Circus, South Coast Repertory, The Chance Theatre, South Bay Civic Light Opera and Musical Theatre West. Mr. Blaney is an arranger and composer, and works frequently on projects as a freelance musician. He received a Kennedy Center award for his original soundtrack for the ghost play The Woman In Black at Concordia University, was the primary music arranger for Lift Up Your Hearts – Songs For Creative Worship published by Geneva Press, and his song Possibilities is used in training courses around the world by the WorldWorks organization. He is the composer of the rock-drama Here.I.Am available for license through Heartland plays, and recently penned the radio jingle for the OC Auto Team. Mr. Blaney has several choral arrangements available through JW Pepper and Sheet Music Plus. Mr. Blaney is an active member of the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), Southern California Vocal Association (SCVA), and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). In 2013 he was selected a quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Educator-of-the-Year Award. In 2019, Mr. Blaney was recognized by the University of Phoenix (Southern California Campus) with a Leadership Impact Award; 82,000 alumni, 400 nominations, 16 awards. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for "outstanding use of education to excel professionally and for providing inspirational leadership and service to the community." Woodbridge High School selected Mr. Blaney as the Teacher of the Year for the 2019 - 2020 school year. In 2023, the Greater Irvine Chamber recognized Mr. Blaney as the Distinguished Educator of the Year for Secondary education. Mr. Blaney received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Christ College Irvine, now Concordia University, and holds a Masters degree in Education. robblaney.com |