Ray Ricker

Ramon Ricker
Birth name Ramon Ricker
Also known as Ray Ricker
Born (1943-09-16) September 16, 1943
Genres Jazz, classical
Occupation(s) Educator, performer, author, composer, arranger, producer
Instruments Saxophone, clarinet
Years active 1971–present
Website www.rayricker.com

Ramon "Ray" Ricker is a classical and jazz performer, music educator, composer and arranger.

Ricker was professor of saxophone, director of the Institute for Music Leadership and senior associate dean for professional studies at the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester.[1] He is professor emeritus of saxophone and interim director of the school's Institute for Music Leadership. In addition to a career as a performing artist and studio teacher, he served as director of the Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Leadership Program, is editor-in-chief of Polyphonic.org, and was an affiliate faculty: jazz studies and contemporary media.

As a senior administrator at Eastman, Ricker helped found Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership,[2] with its arts leadership curriculum that offers courses in entrepreneurship, careers, leadership, performance, contemporary orchestral issues and musician’s injury prevention and rehabilitation; and its Center for Music Innovation. In September 2013, the Eastman School of Music honored Ricker as the first faculty member to receive the Dean’s Medal[3] in recognition of extraordinary leadership, dedication, service and philanthropy.

Career

Ricker first began his musical studies on the clarinet. At age 16, while continuing to study the clarinet, his interest in jazz led him to begin taking saxophone lessons. Throughout his professional career he has continued to perform on both instruments and is often a featured saxophone and clarinet soloist and chamber musician in venues throughout Europe and North America.

He received a bachelor of music education degree in clarinet from the University of Denver (BME 1965), a master of music degree in woodwind performance from Michigan State University (MM 1967), and a doctor of musical arts degree in music education and clarinet from the Eastman School (DMA 1973). He began his tenure as a full-time Eastman faculty member in 1972 and later became the first titled saxophone professor at the school. For nine years he served as the chair of the Department of Winds, Brass and Percussion (1989-1998).

His association with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra began as a clarinet soloist in 1972 and in 1973 he won a position in the RPO as a member of the clarinet section. He continues to play in the orchestra today. From 1996-2005 he has served on its board of directors.

For eight summers (1993-2000) he was music adviser to the Schlossfestspiele in Heidelberg, Germany, where he directed the participation of the Eastman School Philharmonia in its five-week residency at the German music festival. His most recent book, Lessons From a Street-Wise Professor: What You Won’t Learn at Most Music Schools (2011, Soundown Music)[4] was an award finalist in the Business: Entrepreneurship and Small Business category of USA Book News' Best Books 2011 Awards.[5]

Ricker's doctor of musical arts (DMA) dissertation was "A Survey of Published Jazz-Oriented Clarinet Study Materials: 1920-1970". Among the jazz and popular music artists enlisting Ricker as a session and stage performer are Buddy Rich, Stan Getz, Chuck Mangione, Steely Dan and the Moody Blues.

Notable musicians who studied under Ricker include Chien-Kwan Lin, Bob Sheppard, Ben Wendel, Walt Weiskopf and Andrew Sternman.[6]

Select bibliography

Published books

Published articles

Published music - jazz

Published music - non-jazz

Recordings as a performer

Record production

Compositions for television and commissioned works

Contracting and performing of television commercials and program themes

Personal life

Ricker lives in Fairport, New York, with his wife, Judith.

References

  1. ↑ "On Record with Ray Ricker". wxxinews.org. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  2. ↑ "Teaching Musicians to Be Entrepreneurs". businessweek.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  3. ↑ "Eastman School of Music Dean's Medal 2013". rochester.edu. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  4. ↑ "The Business of Music". Opera News.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  5. ↑ "2011 USA Best Book Awards" (PDF). usabooknews.com. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  6. ↑ "Spring Concert Reveals Depth in Campus Jazz". jhunenewsletter.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  7. ↑ "Book Teaches Business Skills to Music Students". rbj.net. Retrieved 2013-12-18.


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