Biography

Richard Falco joined the music faculty of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1979 where he holds the position of Director of Jazz Studies. He also has served for a number of years on the jazz faculty of Clark University.

Ensembles under his direction have performed in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Russia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Austria, Egypt, Spain, Greece, Canada, Italy and the United States. He was interviewed by "A Tout Jazz" for National Public Radio of France regarding the state of jazz education in America, and has been invited to lecture and perform at several music schools while touring abroad.

He has produced well over 50 concerts and clinics of internationally acclaimed artists on the campus of WPI.

Professor Falco was the founder and Artistic Director of the Jazz Worcester Music Festival and a past president of the former Jazz Worcester Society. He is a frequent adjudicator and clinician for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, and the Rhode Island Music Educators Association and is a Festival Host and adjudicator for the International Association of Jazz Educators. He is an active member of the New England Jazz Alliance. In 1989, he was the recipient of the Henry "Boots" Mussulli Jazz Educator of the Year award. Currently, he is the Music Director, Conductor and Narrator for the "Conversations in Jazz: Brown Bag for Kids", a production of Mechanics Hall, presented annually in Mechanics Hall. He was the recipient of the 2004 "Jazz at Sunset Festival Award" for his contributions to the musical and cultural life of Central Massachusetts. Professor Falco is listed in "Who s Who In America".

Full Bio