Richard Summers has been Principal Clarinet, Assistant Conductor, and frequent featured soloist for the Ridgewood Concert Band for 20 years. Originally from Wheeling, West Virginia, Mr. Summers joined the USMA Band at West Point (72-75) playing both clarinet and alto saxophone. He then attended the Juilliard School of Music (75 – 79), receiving both his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music Performance on clarinet. His credentials also include Music Certification from William Paterson College (80-81).
The early years: Mr. Summers chose to play the clarinet in the summer before 5th grade. In high school he learned to play saxophone and later on, flute. His most influential teachers were James Wilson, Leon Russianoff, and Joseph Allard.
Career Highlights: Mr. Summers has held both teaching and performing positions. His music teaching credits include leading the band programs at Kinnelon High School (81-85), Pequannock Township High School (85-05), and Pequannock Valley Middle School (05-present). He was also Director of Band and Professor of Clarinet at William Paterson College/University (92-99). His performance credits include serving as clarinetist with The New Jersey Pops Orchestra and Concert Band and saxophonist with the New Jersey Pops Jazz Band (96 – 03). He also played principal clarinet with the William Paterson Orchestra and New Music Ensemble during his academic appointment at the University.
Mr. Summers is a sought after conductor. In addition to his work as Assistant Conductor of The Ridgewood Concert Band, he has conducted New Jersey Area Band, the NJMSA Junior Band, and NJSMA Intermediate Band, and was President of New Jersey Area Band.Musical moments: Mr. Summers describes his most inspirational and memorable music moments to have occurred when performing music with his father, his son Stephen, and his wife Karen during the course of his career. His recent RCB clarinet duet with his son last season is his current high note of musical moments.
Instrument and practice routine: Mr. Summers plays a Buffet R-13 clarinet, with a Guy Chadash barrel, and a Chris Hill mouthpiece. He has always chosen Buffet because the instrument has been consistently right for his style of playing and desired sound color. His favorite practice routine includes playing the transcribed Bach Unaccompanied Violin Sonatas and Brahms Clarinet Quintet which get his fingers and sound where he wants them to be.
Benefits of playing with RCB: Mr. Summers sees the benefit of being associated with RCB, “As a school teacher with private students, there is not a lot of time to practice. Playing in RCB keeps my technique on a high level, forces and motivates me to practice, and as few and far between professional jobs are these days, I know that when I get a call, I will be in shape
Other interests: Mr. Summers enjoys playing jazz and performing in musicals at area high schools. He has started various music technology related classes at his middle school and enjoys working on the computer using music software programs for notation, recording and sequencing.