Avery Fisher Artist Program Oral History Project

Robert Sherman

Radio Commentator; Music Critic; On-Air Host of the Avery Fisher Career Grants (1976-2015)

An interview with Robert Sherman conducted June 27, 2019 by Gerry Albarelli for the Columbia Center for Oral History, Avery Fisher Artist Program Oral History Project. 

Robert Sherman is an American radio broadcaster, author, music critic, writer, and educator. He has hosted radio programs such as the folk music program “Woody’s Children” and the nationally broadcast “The Listening Room” for WQXR, New York’s classical music station. From 1976-2015, he was the WQXR on-air host for the annual Avery Fisher Career Grants presentation.

As an author, Sherman has been a music critic and columnist for The New York Times for over forty years.  He has written numerous books, including two bestsellers he co-authored with pianist and comedian Victor Borge, and is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Classical Music (1997). He has served on the faculty of The Juilliard School for nearly twenty years.