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Phone him at (814) 867-9935.

 

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State College, PA

(814) 867-9935

Rick Hirsch is a nationally-known composer, arranger and jazz educator living in State College, PA. Check out his music, book a live jazz band in Central Pennsylvania.

RH interview with Dick Dunscomb

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RH interview with Dick Dunscomb

Rick Hirsch

Iconic jazz educator Dick Dunscomb interviewed me for his Jazz Zone Together interview series. What a treat and privilege that was!

It’s pretty long and we covered several topics, so here are some time-stamps if you’d like to jump to specific parts of it:

0:00 Intros

1:50 How I got into music as a youth, several of my influential teachers during my formative years (Bill Byerly, Ron Modell, Jeff Holmes, Lynn Klock, Yusef Lateef, Antonio García)

8:20 How I became a music copyist, and the copywork I did for Bob Mintzer, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Louie Bellson)

17:10 How I started my own sheet music publishing company (HirschMusic), and the folks who helped me get there: Walrus Music, Stantons, eJazzlines, JW Pepper, Marina Music

20:55 My activities as a composer and arranger, particularly my brand-new jazz ensemble work Cityscapes, writing for my own groups

26:15 the Fraser Street Saxes: where I got the inspiration for this group, how it started and evolved, our annual camp, saxophone petting zoo)

34:50 Guest conducting All State & District jazz bands, how to reach students in such a short timeframe.

38:35 State of jazz education in PA: demographic context of PA, teachers I encounter, teacher training, student enthusiasm

43:20 What’s on the front burner

45:05 Dick Dunscomb quotes my main mentor Ron Modell