Dr. Jack Roberts

Roberts, DR. JACK died, January 14, 2004 at the Denton Community Hospital in Denton. Jack Roberts has enjoyed a distinguished career as a concert performer and pedagogue, and has been described by John Rosenfield of the Dallas Morning News as "a pianist of fire artistry and taste." He has been professor of music in the keyboard studies division at the College of Music (UNT), since 1957. Dr. Roberts received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music from North Texas State University (now UNT) where he was a student of Silvio and Isabel Scionti. He was awarded a Fulbright grant to study at the Vienna Academy for Music and Dramatic Arts, where he was a pupil of Richard Hauser, who had studied with Liszt's pupil Emil von Sauer. Later he received a doctorate of musical arts degree at the University of Michigan, with study under the noted Bartok student, Gyorgy Sandor. Roberts has also coached Alicia de Lorrocha and Leon Fleisher. In addition to teaching at the University of Michigan, Roberts has given performances and master classes at the National University, and Fugen University in Taipei (Taiwan). For many years, Roberts was an official competition pianist for the G.B. Dealey Competition in Dallas. He remained in demand not only as a solist, but also in chamber music and vocal collaboration, accompanying the late beloved tenor, Eugene Conley. Dr. Roberts was a designated Steinway Artist and served as a judge for the Van Cliburn Amateur Piano Competition. Roberts, in addition to his duties at North Texas, has served on the faculty of the Interlochen Music Camp and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Austria. Dr. Roberts was the organist for the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton, where he was a member. Jack Roberts is a native of Fort Worth, Texas was born June 22, 1931, a son of the late Witt and Nora Dye Roberts. He received his childhood training in piano and organ from the late William Barclay at Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth. Survivors include brothers, Witt Roberts and his wife, Eloise of Richland Hills; Bob G. Roberts and his wife Jeanelle of Fort Worth, sister, Paula Neal and her husband C.A. of Hurst; numerous nieces and nephews; and a world of good friends and associates. He was loved and will be missed greatly. A scripture wake service will be held Sunday, January 18th at 6:00 P.M. in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M., Monday, January 19th at St. Mark Catholic Church, 2800 Pennsylvania Dr., Denton with Rev. Karl Schilken and Msgr. Joe Schumacher officiating. Burial will follow at 1:30 P.M. at Mount Olivet Memorial Park in Fort Worth, Texas. Memorials may be made to a Jack Roberts Scholarship Fund at UNT College of Music, Attention Elida Tamez, P.O. Box 311367, Denton, Texas 76203 or by calling (940) 565-2243 or to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Organ Fund, c/o Dr. Paul R. Jones, 1409 E. Windsor, Denton, Texas 76209. Deberry Funeral Directors Denton, TX 940-383-4200