Robert Hanson (born August 18, 1946) is an American conductor and composer known for his 37 years with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra which was named âÂÂOrchestra of the Yearâ three times by the Illinois Council of Orchestras and won the 2010 Elgin Image Award. In July 2011, he resigned. John von Rhein, music critic of the Chicago Tribune, named Hanson the 2003 Chicagoan of the Year.