Robert E. Foster was a professor of Music Education and Music Therapy at the University of Kansas (KU), as well as the director of bands, for 31 years. Starting in 1971, as part of his job as administrator of the band program, Foster oversaw 3 concert bands, the wind ensemble, 3 jazz ensembles, 2 basketball bands, 9 combos, and the Marching Jayhawks. His KU Symphonic Band performed at numerous national and regional conventions, including performances for the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), the American Bandmasters Association (ABA), and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA). In 1989, the Marching Jayhawks was the 7th band awarded the Sudler Trophy for Intercollegiate Marching Bands.

In 2001, Foster was awarded the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Award. In 2006, he was inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame for Distinguished Conductors, and in 2007, Foster was presented an Award of Distinction from the Women Band Directors International for exceptional support toward women in the band movement. Foster was also selected the recipient of the 2010 International Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award. In 2012, KU established the Robert Foster Band Scholarship, and in October 2013, the KU School of Music officially named the rehearsal room in Murphy Hall the "Robert E. Foster Rehearsal Room." Foster retired from KU in May 2015.

Foster also was the conductor and musical director of the Lawrence City Band. He served on multiple musical associations, including as president and on the board of directors of the ABA, CBDNA, the National Band Association (NBA), the Big 12 Band Directors Association, The John Philip Sousa Foundation, and the Kansas Bandmasters Association (KBA). He was selected Bandmaster of the Year by KBA. Foster was also selected as one of the Ten Music Educators honored by the School Musician magazine. He was on the advisory board of the Instrumentalist Magazine and has served as the band adviser for the MENC Adviser column in their magazine, Teaching Music. Foster has written books on musical techniques as well as numerous articles for various band and music publications.

[Information taken from University of Kansas Music Department's biography of Robert E Foster.]