Eric Richards Email & Phone Number

Sheridan, Wy

Dr. Eric Richards is the Director of Bands and Jazz Studies at Sheridan College where he serves as Music Director of the SC Symphony Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazztet, Concert Brass Ensemble, Trombone Choir, Pep Band, and teaches applied brass, composition, History of Jazz, and leads program initiatives in recruiting, outreach, and curriculum development. From 2008 – 2015, he served as tenured Associate Professor of Composition and Jazz Studies in the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At UNL, he mentored first-year through doctoral students in applied composition (classical and jazz/vernacular styles), taught related courses such as Orchestration and Jazz Arranging, and organized and led the award-winning UNL Jazz Orchestra “2.0”, an innovative 21st Century jazz ensemble combining traditional big band instrumentation with strings, horn, and percussion. His students have been the recipients of commissions, numerous awards for their creative work (to include the Downbeat Student Music Awards and the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award) and collegiate faculty appointments. He is the recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Teaching Award in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at UNL. Eric has led the Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming All State High School Jazz Ensembles as well as the Southern California Honor Jazz All-Stars in concert performance at the 2018 NAMM Convention in Anaheim.

Eric is a widely performed composer/arranger, conductor, trombonist and educator active in a wide range of musical media and genres.Eric’s music has been heard on six continents in performances and recordings by professional and academic ensembles in major concert venues across the United States, Europe, Australia, Asia and India to include: • National Symphony Orchestra• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra• Boston Pops Orchestra• Chiara String Quartet• US Army Field Band and Jazz Ambassadors• USAF Band and the Airmen of Note• USAF Academy Falconaires• US Marine Band (The President's Own)• University of North Texas Wind Ensemble• California State University Concert Jazz Orchestra• University of Northern Colorado Jazz Lab Band I• Carnegie Hall (New York)• Midwest Clinic (Chicago)• Montreux, North Sea, and Nice Jazz Festivals. Recent engagements as a guest composer, conductor and teacher include residencies or commissions at: • Washington State University• Lamont School of Music (University of Denver)• Colorado Christian University• Shanghai Conservatory of Music• Taipei Jazz OrchestraFrom 1984 – 2004, Eric served as Composer/Arranger with The United States Army Field Band, the Army’s premiere touring musical organization based near Washington DC. Audiences worldwide enjoyed his music for wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, jazz orchestra, and voices. He honorably retired as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (Master Sergeant-E-8). Eric earned the Doctor of Musical Arts (Composition) degree from the University of Maryland at College Park where he studied with Mark Wilson and Robert Gibson. He holds the Master of Music (Composition) and Bachelor of Science (Music Education) degrees from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where he studied with John “Doc” Wilson, Joseph Willcox Jenkins, and Matty Shiner. His music is published by Alfred/Belwin, C.L. Barnhouse, Hal Leonard, University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press, and Eric Richards Music Services.

Lincoln, Ne

From 2008 – 2015, Dr. Richards served as tenured Associate Professor of Composition and Jazz Studies in the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At UNL, he mentored undergraduate through doctoral students in applied composition (classical and jazz/vernacular styles), taught related courses such as Orchestration and Jazz Arranging, and directed the award-winning UNL Jazz Orchestra “2.0”, a contemporary jazz/"crossover" ensemble he organized for student and faculty composers to explore jazz and chamber music instrumentations. His students were recognized for their work by numerous awards (e.g. Downbeat Student Music Awards, ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards, et al) and have had their work published by major publishers, to include Boosey and Hawkes and UNC Jazz Press. Dr. Richards is the recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Teaching Award in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.

From 2004-2008, I served as Director of Instrumental Music at Midland University (Fremont, Neb.) where I directed the Concert Band, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Combo, High School Honour Band, Pep Band and taught all undergraduate music theory courses. In 2007, I was named Program Co-ordinator, a position which included administrative and fiscal oversight of faculty and resources.

Fort Meade, Md

From 1984 – 2004, Eric served as Composer/Arranger with the United States Army Field Band, the Army’s premiere touring musical organization based near Washington DC. In this position, he created music for an array of media performed for audiences in the millions worldwide. Projects included arrangements and compositions for:• Wind Ensemble* Symphony Orchestra• Jazz Orchestra* Big Band and Orchestra• Mixed Chorus• Popular Music Ensemble• Marching Band • Chamber MusicHe honorably retired as a decorated Senior Non-Commissioned Officer at the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8).

D.M.A., Music Composition

Doctoral Teaching Assistant in Music Composition

M.M., Music Composition

• Graduate Teaching Assistant in Jazz Studies. • Directed DU Lab Band (Jazz Ensemble II) • Administered and coordinated concerts and guest.

B.S.M.E., Music Education