Robert Arsenault graduated from Rhode Island College in 1975 with a B.S. in Music Education. In 1989, he completed a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State College. He has directed the Bristol and Mt. Hope High School Band since 1988. He has been the chair of the Visual Art and Music Department, Music Department, and now Performing Arts Department since 1994. Before coming to Bristol, he taught vocal and instrumental music in K-12 in Portland, Maine, Barre, Vermont, North Andover, Melrose, Plymouth and Taunton, Massachusetts.

Mr. Arsenault currently teaches Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Marching Band and Jazz Band at the high school. Under his direction, the instrumental performing groups have excelled and earned numerous awards at festivals and parades in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Washington and Florida. He motivates students to achieve their potential be it learning a new scale or successfully auditioning for All-State or All-New England. Alumni have successfully completed college music performance and education programs and are now performing with the US Navy Band and teaching in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

He was the first of Rhode Island’s instrumental music teachers to be recognized as OUTSTANDING BAND DIRECTOR-Making a Difference in Students’ Lives by School Band and Orchestra magazine. He has served on the executive board of the RI Music Educators Association, with his wife, Denise, edited the Rhode Island Music Educators Journal, and has been a clinician at several In-Service Conferences.

Mr. Arsenault lives with his wife in Bristol. They have five children who have been quite active in the Mt. Hope High School Performing Arts Department.