Music Ministry Leader:
Bob Rub III
Email: bob@trinityrockford.org
Robert Rub has lived in Rockford, IL since childhood. He began piano lessons at the age
of 8 with Violet Fry, a member of his church, Redeemer Lutheran, in 1974. In 1978,
he switched to taking organ lessons at Meves Music Studio, continuing until 1987.
He graduated from Rockford Lutheran High School in 1984, where he played the piano for
choir and chapel. He attended Rock Valley Junior College and graduated with honors with
an Associate in Arts degree in 1987. His undergraduate work was completed at Eastern
Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois (1987-1990), where he graduated with honors with
two Bachelor's degrees, one in Organ Performance, the other in Music Theory and Composition. After a 13-year break from school, Robert began work on his Master's degree in Music in 2003, graduating in 2005.
Robert has been a church organist since 1983, when he played for Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Roscoe. In 1985 he became organist at his home church, Redeemer Lutheran in Rockford and remained there until 2005 (except the years he attended Eastern Illinois University). He gradually accepted responsibility for directing the Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir at Redeemer. In 2006, Robert began as full-time Leader for Music Ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford, where he plays the beautiful Casavant organ for the traditional service, leads a Global music combo for the family service, directs the Chancel Choir, Trinity Ringers (handbells), plays music for special occasions, participates in and supports Sunday School music and plans Trinity's worship services. He is also a member of the Rockford chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.
During undergraduate school, Robert also cultivated interest and skills in jazz. Since graduating from Eastern Illinois, he has been a substitute pianist (and occasionally a bassist) in many Rockford-area jazz groups, including After Five, the Gardenia Big Band, Kickin' Brass, Carey Sheley's Little Big Band, Swedish Pastry, Frank Calvagna, Rob Tomaro Trio, Lino's Jazz Trios and Mike Williamson. He plays regularly with the Moonlight Jazz Orchestra, the Dean Moriarty Jazz Band. Robert resides in Rockford with his wife, Melissa and their two children, Katherine and Celeste.
