About Me

I master the art of handcrafted tools and instruments designed for performance, built from decades of experience.

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Over Three Decades of Innovation

RMT Originals is my platform to showcase my various enterprises and products I have developed over the last 36 years.

One of the first things I started was making custom batons for Conductors when I attended Aspen Music Camp to study Oboe with Harry Shulman in 1967.

Most of the batons were custom-built for each individual conductor.

I will be adding more as I get used to this new web builder.

- Robert M. Turner

My Multidisciplinary Background

I am an oboist, professional piano craftsman, and artisan who creates custom conducting batons and specialized reed-making tools. Through RMT Originals, I unite my deep musical background with precision engineering to serve conductors and double-reed players worldwide.

My Technical Process for Precise Baton Balancing

I balance my batons by precisely positioning the center of gravity at the handle-shaft junction. I use drilling, grinding, or material alterations to fine-tune the handle. Using lightweight graphite or fiberglass, I keep total weight under half an ounce for maximum visibility under stage lights without whip.

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An Evolving Legacy of Word-of-Mouth Endorsements

Since I handcraft every baton to order, my client base relies heavily on word-of-mouth recommendations rather than public marketing. Consequently, this roster represents just a fraction of the artists who use my work, as many maestros prefer to stay unlisted. For anyone seeking a verified group of elite, professional endorsements, these documented names offer the clearest connection to the quality of my craftsmanship.

Full Biography of Joe Glymph

I note Joe Glymph as a conductor and longtime percussionist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He was an esteemed educator who founded the Chicago Orchestral Academy and Classical Symphony Orchestra around 1980, directing them for 40 years until retiring near 2019.

Academic and Institutional Teaching

Furthering his educational legacy, Joe Glymph served as an orchestra director and strings instructor at North Park University (1980–1994) and Northeastern Illinois University (1999–2014). He also held earlier educational roles at various local high schools and the Sewanee Summer Music Center.

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Historical Legacy and Context

The ensemble Joe Glymph directed focused deeply on full symphonic works and string education. While no recordings or extensive archives are widely available online today—as it remained a localized training group rather than a commercial orchestra—its impact on gifted youth lasted for decades before closing.