Robert Sheena is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. He was born on August 23, 1950, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Sheena grew up in a family of musicians, and his father was a professional saxophonist. He started playing the clarinet at the age of nine and showed a natural talent for music. Sheena attended the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied under the guidance of renowned clarinetist Harold Wright. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1972 and went on to pursue a Master of Music degree at the same institution. During his time at the conservatory, Sheena was a member of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. After completing his studies, Sheena joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in 1973 as the assistant principal clarinetist. He quickly established himself as a talented musician and was promoted to the position of principal clarinetist in 1979. Sheena held this position for over 30 years, until his retirement in 2010. During his tenure with the BSO, Sheena performed in numerous concerts and recordings. He was a featured soloist in several works, including Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, Copland's Clarinet Concerto, and Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie. Sheena also collaborated with renowned conductors such as Seiji Ozawa, James Levine, and Leonard Bernstein. One of the highlights of Sheena's career was his performance of Copland's Clarinet Concerto with the BSO in 1980. The performance was recorded and released on the Deutsche Grammophon label, and it received critical acclaim. Sheena's interpretation of the concerto was praised for its clarity, precision, and emotional depth. In addition to his work with the BSO, Sheena was also a member of the Boston Pops Orchestra. He performed with the orchestra for over 25 years and was a featured soloist in several concerts. Sheena also collaborated with other orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Sheena's talent and dedication to music were recognized with several awards and honors. In 1997, he was awarded the Harvard Musical Association's Arthur W. Foote Award for his outstanding contributions to music. Sheena was also a recipient of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Erich Leinsdorf Award, which recognizes musicians who have made significant contributions to the orchestra. After his retirement from the BSO, Sheena continued to perform and teach. He joined the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music, where he taught clarinet and chamber music. Sheena also performed with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and the Radius Ensemble. In addition to his work as a musician, Sheena was also a composer. He wrote several works for clarinet, including a concerto and a sonata. Sheena's compositions were performed by several musicians, including himself. Robert Sheena's contribution to the world of music is significant and enduring. His talent, dedication, and passion for music have inspired generations of musicians and music lovers. Sheena's legacy will continue to live on through his recordings, compositions, and the countless musicians he has influenced and mentored over the years.

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