Ramon Ricker
Instruments: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
With the RPO since: 1973
Favorite time of year in Rochester, and why... All year--the 4 distinct seasons
Hometown: Denver
Drink or food you're most likely to order at Java's: Shot in the Dark (Hot chocolate and espresso).
When not performing with the RPO, you can find me... Teaching at Eastman
First music-related memory: Piano lessons with my mother
I decided to be a professional musician when... I played principal clarinet in the Colorado All-State Orchestra in my senior year of high school.
Favorite travel destination: Anywhere in Europe
Influential teachers: Jack Stevens, Ralph Strouf, Elsa Ludwig, Leon Russinoff, Robert Sprenkle, Stan Hasty
Favorite ice cream flavor: Rocky Road
What are your other "hidden" talents? Builder/designer of "things" for our house. Restorer of old cars.
Do you teach private students? No--I only teach Eastman collegiate students. My duties as a senior administrator at the Eastman School make severe limits on my time. Currently, I have only 5 students (all masters and doctorate).
Oddest RPO concert (or rehearsal) memory... We were doing a concert version of Boris Godunov by Mussorgsky. There was a children's chorus and they were positioned directly behind me. It was very hot on stage. I heard a thud and looked back to see what was going on. One of the kids had fainted. I wasn't playing--just counting rests--so I jumped up, picked up the little girl, and carried her like a limp, rag doll off of the stage. She regained consciousness quickly backstage, so--I went back to my seat in the orchestra and began playing as if nothing had happened. I didn't miss one note in the entire ordeal. My wife says, when I resumed playing, I had a solo. I can't remember that detail, but I'll go with it.
Favorite restaurant in town and why: My kitchen. My wife and I love to cook.
What types of music do you like to listen to? Classical, jazz
Do you have a pet? We have three Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs: nine-year-old male, seven-year-old female and a male puppy.
The RPO is essential to Rochester because... It is a significant contributor to the life of Rochester and it helps define us as a city.
My favorite part of working in the RPO is... during the breaks when I can talk to my friends of 30+ years.
If someone were visiting Rochester, what would you tell them to go see or do? Go to a concert, check out the museums--there is lots going on.
For more information on this musician, please click here.
Biography
With the RPO since 1973, Ramon Ricker is Senior Associate Dean for Professional Studies, Director of the Institute for Music Leadership and Professor of Saxophone at the Eastman School of Music. Dr. Ricker received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver, master’s degree from Michigan State University and his doctorate in music education and clarinet from Eastman. He frequently performs as guest saxophone and clarinet soloist and clinician in high schools and colleges throughout Europe and North America. His books on jazz improvisation and saxophone technique have sold more than 130,000 copies worldwide.
