Robert Olivia is Co-Principal Librarian of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as “mentor and supervisor” as part of the University of Washington Information School Directed Fieldwork Program. He previously served as Principal Librarian of the Oregon, Naples and Detroit Symphony Orchestras. As well, Olivia served for 14 seasons as Librarian of the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood. Prior to coming to Seattle Olivia worked in Hollywood at JoAnn Kane Music Service on nearly 100 motion pictures and television shows such as; Memoirs of a Geisha, Star Wars III - Revenge of the Sith, War of the Worlds, The Simpsons and Family Guy.
As an arranger Olivia has written for many conductors and popular performers including several arrangements for the late Marvin Hamlisch. His arrangements are available through Hal Leaonard’s Sheet Music Plus. These include the themes to Peter Gunn and Mr. Lucky & the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto completely transcribed note for note, including solos, for big band and strings.
Olivia is a native of Plainfield New Jersey and was first taught clarinet by his father, the late Robert R. Olivia, band director in the Plainfield Public Schools. Robert’s mother, Eileen Olivia, was a librarian and given his parents professions it is not surprising that Olivia would choose the profession of orchestral librarian. Olivia continued his studies at Wilkes University, earning a B.M. in Music Education studying with William Gasbarro and legendary jazz clarinetist Bob Wilber. He also holds a M.M. in Clarinet Performance from the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with renowned pedagogue Leon Russianoff. Following graduate school, Olivia moved to Boston and continued his studies with Thomas Martin, Associate Principal Clarinet of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
In 1992 Olivia was a winner of the Artists’ International Competition in New York City. In 1993. He made his Carnegie Recital Hall Debut as part of the Debut Winner’s Series with duo partner, pianist Marc Peloquin. Olivia has appeared as soloist with orchestras and presented in recitals throughout the United States on many prestigious series’, such as at the Gardner Museum and Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. as well as in radio broadcasts including WGBH in Boston and WQXR & WNYC in New York City. Olivia and Peloquin have been honored to have several composers write works for them including American composer Bruce Reiprich and Romanian composer Sabin Pautza. Olivia has edited and recorded his own transcription of the original film version of the Artie Shaw Clarinet Concert as well as Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsodie.
Other awards include Second Prize of the 1989 Columbia International Chamber Music competition [MD], Clarinet Fellowship to Tanglewood in 1991 and the 1994 Distinguished Alumnus Award from his alma mater, Wilkes University [PA].
Olivia is member of Musicians Local 47 in Los Angeles.