Robert Aughtry – Flute

Flutist Robert Aughtry joined The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” in 2000. In 2023, after 23 years of service, Aughtry retired from the Army as a Master Sergeant. While in the Army Band, he was a featured soloist with the Army Concert Band and Orchestra on many occasions; most notably performing a piccolo duet with Master Sergeant (R) Barbara Vigil on the Band’s historic tour of China in 2012. From 2016-2023, he had the privilege of being the flutist and Group Leader of The US Army Woodwind Quintet. This group performed and taught throughout the country at various colleges and universities.

An active chamber musician, teacher, and adjudicator in the DMV since his arrival in 2000, Aughtry currently performs in DeuxEaux, a flute/clarinet duo with his best friend Mary Alice Druhan. DeuxEaux has performed at colleges across the country and has been a featured group at Clarinetfests in Atlanta, Reno, Denver, and Ostend, Belgium.

A native of Gaffney, SC, Aughtry holds a Bachelor Degree in Music Education with a Performance Certificate and a Masters of Music Degree in Flute Performance from the University of South Carolina. He completed the coursework for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree (ABD) from the Louisiana State University prior to joining the Army. At both schools, he won their respective concerto competition and performed as soloist with each orchestra.

From 1995-2000, he was the second flute/piccolo player with the Acadiana Symphony (LA) and soloed with the Orchestra in 1997. Aughtry has performed as Principal Flute with the Natchez Opera and the Ohio Light Opera and as flutist/piccoloist with the Baton Rouge Symphony, the South Carolina Philharmonic, and the Augusta Opera.

In addition, Aughtry is currently the Director of Handbells at Burke United Methodist Church in Burke, VA. He works with 3 choirs; 4-6 grade, 7-12 grade, and adults, in addition to playing in a handbell ensemble.

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