Robert Van Doren, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, received his Bachelor of Arts and his Master of Arts degrees from Columbia University in New York City. He studied Organ Performance at the Institute of Musical Arts of the Juilliard School of Music. Mr. Van Doren attended the Army Music School in Fort Myer, Virginia and served as Warrant Officer and Band Leader. He also was a Fellow in Trinity College of Music in London, England.

Mr. Van Doren came to the University of South Carolina Department of Music in 1946 and was appointed Instructor in Music and Music Education, rising in rank to Professor. While at the University, Mr. Van Doren served as Interim Department Chairman, Music Education Advisor, Chairman of theGraduate Program in Music Education, and liaison for student teaching with the School of Education.

Mr. Van Doren has performed in organ recitals and dedicatory recitals in South Carolina from 1946 - 1965. Brodt Music Co. in Charlotte, North Carolina published his Guide for Organists and Choirmaster.

He was appointed Organist and Choirmaster of Trinity Church, a position he held from 1946 to 1970. During this period he organized and directed the Junior Choir Festival of 500 children from Columbia area churches, which was sponsored by the American Guild of Organists.

Mr. Van Doren served as President of the South Carolina Music Educators Association and was honored by being elected into their Hall of Fame in 1988. He was also Vice President of the Southern Division of the Music Educators National Conference, Dean of the Columbia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, President of the Columbia Music Festival Association, and was a founding member of the Friends of the School of Music at the University of South Carolina.

Mr. Van Doren retired from the Department of Music in 1978.