Robert A. Lake graduated from high school in 1961 from Fort Dodge, IA. Along with the normal ensembles of band, orchestra & choir (all of which he was also a student conductor), he played in the Iowa All State Band all 3 years of high school.

Bob played and soloed with Karl King’s Municipal Band, and was Principal Clarinetist with the NW Iowa Symphony Orchestra. In 1963 Bob won the Young Artist Contest & performed Premiere Rhapsody by Claude Debussy with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.

In 1966 Bob Graduated with both his Bachelor & Master’s Degrees of Music Education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He studied with clarinet professors Dr. Jon Mohler, & Dr. James W. Luke Jr.

Outside of ensembles at Drake University, was Church Choir Director for 4 years at Gatchel Methodist Church, played in Iowa & Missouri with the Don Hoy Orchestras on most weekends, and the Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Ensemble.

Between 1966-68 Bob was the Director of Bands for the Coon Rapids Schools and earned top honors at music contests.

During 1968-1999 he was the band director at Edina Public Schools in Edina, Minnesota for 30yrs. During his time there, all ensembles received top honors at contest and performed at the MN Music Educators Conference. He taught at Edina East High School, 2 middle schools, and 4 elementary schools, along with some elementary vocal music.

Bob has held membership in MN Band Directors’ Association, MN Music Educators Association, MENC, AFofM, NEA, Evergreen Club of Mn, and the Star of the North Concert Band.

Bob served in the US military bands for over 2 decades: the 47th Division Army Band between 1968-75 as clarinet section leader and the 451st Army Band - Ft. Snelling, MN between 1975-1994 as clarinet section leader.

After moving to Texas along with his wife Jean and an extensive library of clarinet choir music (with no one to perform it with), they co-founded the Prickly Pear Clarinet Ensemble. Today the ensemble performs locally and nationally, bringing high-quality performances of clarinet choir arrangements and originals to the San Antonio area and across the US.