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Rick Hirsch
He is in-demand as a guest conductor and formerly served on the music faculty of Penn State University.
In 2017 Rick Hirsch’s BIG OL’ BAND released their debut album, Pocono Git-Down, celebrating the vibrant under-the-radar jazz scenes beyond the big cities.
Hirsch studied improvisation with Yusef Lateef, Boysie Lowery, and Dave Liebman, and saxophone with Lynn Klock and Steve Duke. He has a BA Summa Cum Claude UMass-Amherst and an MM from Northern Illinois University.
Awards
• Grand Prize (Pennsylvania Jazz Collective Composition Contest, 2016 for The Old Chief's Lookout)
• Honorable Mention (Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble Composition Contest, 2016 for Metroliner
• Grand Prize (Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble Composition Contest, 2015 for Mirage
• Fellowships in Jazz Composition (Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, 2003 & 2005)
Gear
Manuscript paper, pencils, many erasers. Finale for Mac.
Tags
Rick Hirsch's Big Ol' Band: Pocono Git-Down
by Jack Bowers
Even though the days of cross-country bus trips, one-night stands and regular appearances on radio and TV have long since vanished, big bands continue to dot the landscape on all corners of the map, from such large population hubs as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco and others to cities and towns so small that their names are generally unfamiliar to anyone who doesn't live nearby. Composer / arranger Rick Hirsch's impressive Big Ol' Band, which makes its ...
read more"The language is rich and daring, and sometimes quite abrasive to my ears...but it’s entirely stimulating!" "(Queen guitarist) Brian May
Primary Instrument
Composer / conductor
Location
Harrisburg
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Credentials/Background
• Presented over 150 workshops to middle school, high school, and collegiate musicians throughout the country.
• Featured clinician at JEN Conference, Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, PMEA, Iowa Bandmasters
• Specialist on creative improvisation pedagogy
• MM from Northern Illinois University
• Guest conductor at University and All-State levels nationwide
• BA Summa Cum Laude from University of Massachusetts—Amherst
• Studies with Yusef Lateef, Boysie Lowery, David Liebman, Ron Carter, Jeff Holmes, Lynn Klock
Clinic/Workshop Information
Photos
Music
Videos
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Rick Hirsch
Location: Harrisburg
Instrument: Composer / conductor
Born: August 10, 1970
