Recipient of the 2018 ASCAP Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Internet Award, Rob Deemer is a composer, conductor, educator, author, and advocate. His works have been commissioned and performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the President’s Own Marine Band, the U.S. Army Orchestra, the Rasçher Saxophone Quartet, loadbang, Akropolis Reed Quintet, and Gaudete Brass. His work as an advocate for composers from underrepresented demographic groups led him to create the Institute for Composer Diversity at the State University of New York at Fredonia. His work with the Institute for Composer Diversity has culminated in partnerships with the League of American Orchestras, the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, the American String Teachers Association, and the Midwest Clinic. Deemer is Professor and Head of Composition as well as the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at the State University of New York at Fredonia and serves as the chair of the National Association for Music Education Repertoire Diversity Initiative and the New York State School Music Association Composition & Songwriting Committee.