Robert Taibbi
Director of Recording Department

A native of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, who now lives in New Jersey, Robert came to Juilliard more than 30 years ago as an assistant engineer straight from the RCA Studio School, where he studied TV production after earning an associate's degree in electronics technology from the RCA Institute.

Robert Taibbi driving a freight train in July 2005.

What are the most striking differences between Juilliard now and when you first started?

The School itself has grown tremendously, and my department with it. When I first started in 1973, we would archive maybe 20 to 30 public concerts a year. Today, I'd say we're putting away more than 100 a year—maybe 150. Also, when I started, it was just two of us. Now I have four engineers, plus some office staff. When someone asks for something from the '80s or the '70s—and our archive goes back to the '50s—you go back and remember that concert. When you file it away, who knows what's going to happen to these things—and then suddenly, you're hearing it on the radio, or hearing someone using it on a CD. It makes what you're doing today beneficial.



What is one of your favorite memories from your years here?

I can't pinpoint one thing, there are so many memories. Years ago, I designed the sound for the play Rose Tattoo. Designing the sound for the show when it was nothing, and then seeing it produced on the stage—that's the type of memory that I hold on to.



How has your current position changed or evolved in the years you've been in it? What would students be surprised to learn about your job?

When I started here, it was just audio. And we didn't even have cassettes; it was reel-to-reel tape. Now we've come up to tapeless studios. The responsibility level has grown with the technology. My position has changed from just recording a couple of things to including research, staffing, and video, which we now have to incorporate into all that we do. I try to stay current about technology, going to conferences to check out what's new and what's on the horizon. I work with the vendors and the manufacturers to test equipment and incorporate it here. What students probably don't understand is how much work is involved. Most people don't have a clue; we could be in discussion about a show a year or two ahead of time.



What is the strangest or most memorable job you've ever had and what made it so?

I was an ice-cream man—one of my favorite things that I did. I used to work on an ice-cream truck when I was in high school, and when I graduated and got my license, I started driving the truck. It played the same song you hear now—they haven't changed that one bit. I never ate ice cream while I was on the truck. You don't want to look at it.



Many Juilliard staff members are also artists. Do you have an artistic background?

I was a rock 'n' roll guitarist in bands all through the '60s. We still kick around and jam a little bit; every once in awhile, we get together. I also wanted to work in TV. When I first started at Juilliard it was a nine-month position. We'd close for the summer, and I used to go across the street to ABC and work summer replacement. So I did pursue that, but I stayed here. I enjoy it here; the flexibility in the work is much greater than in TV. There, you're an audio man and that's all you do. When you come here, you're doing everything.



What was the best vacation you've had and what made that trip so special? Or where would you most like to travel and what draws you to that place?

One of the best vacations was a trip to California with my wife, probably six or seven years ago. We went to San Francisco and then drove down to L.A. We got to see so much. Alcatraz was a highlight of that trip. Just going to that island and seeing that facility was amazing—and seeing the different things in California from one end to the other. I'd like to get to Hawaii next year for our 20th anniversary. And I'd like to go to Italy because my heritage is there. I'd like to see where my family came from.



What might people be surprised to know about you?

The ice-cream job, and the fact that I still jam once in awhile. Also, there is a soft side to me. A lot of people see the hard side, because we're so busy, and sometimes people can get the wrong impression. Other than that, I'm pretty much an open book.