Retiring Musician Spotlight: Robert Dorer
This summer the Minnesota Orchestra bids farewell to its longest-tenured trumpet section member, Robert Dorer, who joined the ensemble in 1997 and leaves a legacy of musical excellence, enduring collaborations and a family life closely intertwined with his Orchestra career.
Dorer’s arrival in Minnesota—after six seasons as principal trumpet of the New Mexico Symphony—began a meaningful chapter both professionally and personally. “My memories of starting this job are tied with memories of becoming a father,” he recalls. His first child was born just two months after he and his wife Sally arrived in Minnesota; soon after came a major tour with the Orchestra in its first-ever visit to Europe. “It was an exciting year!” he says. Their second child followed near the end of Dorer’s second season.
Over the years, Dorer was part of a remarkably stable trumpet section, as the same four players made up the section from 2000 to 2025, when Principal Trumpet Manny Laureano retired. “I was lucky to play with this wonderful section, and we were like family,” Dorer says. “We each added something different to the performance, but the combination made for something really special.” His tenure included numerous memorable performances at Orchestra Hall and on tour. One experience stands out in particular: Sibelius’ Kullervo, performed in Minneapolis and at Carnegie Hall in 2010 under Music Director Osmo Vänskä. “It was an emotional concert collaborating with the amazing chorus brought in from Finland,” he says.
An avid chamber musician, Dorer participated frequently in Minnesota Orchestra chamber concerts and performed a wide range of repertoire. Alongside performing, teaching remained a constant. He served on the faculty of the Brevard Music Center for seven summers and has led master classes across the country at music schools such as Juilliard, Rice, Northwestern University and the University of Michigan, sharing insights shaped by his studies with influential teachers including Vincent Cichowicz and Arnold Jacobs. That commitment to education will continue in retirement. “I am planning on continuing teaching the trumpet. I want to draw on my experiences and give back to students,” he says. He also looks forward to spending more time repairing instruments—another longtime interest—as well as traveling. “I hope to visit friends in Alaska and New Zealand,” he adds.
When asked what he will miss most, Dorer names “the wonderful people in the Orchestra and performing great music at the highest level.” Music has also been a shared pursuit at home and the Hall; his wife, Sally, is a cellist who performs often with the Orchestra. “We have enjoyed performing and touring together for the last 25 years,” he says. As he steps away from the stage, Dorer leaves a message for the community that has supported his career: “Thank you for coming to concerts. You make it possible for us to share something very special.”
