Rich Begel, from Long Island, NY, completed music education and performance degrees at The Crane School of Music, studying with Dr. Mark Hartman. He then completed a Master’s in Trombone Performance with Norman Bolter at New England Conservatory, and also attended Michigan State University, studying with Curtis Olson. Summers of those college years were rewarding, with the Tanglewood Festival Orchestra, National Repertory Orchestra, Festival of Two Worlds, Spoleto Festival U.S.A., and since then, Rich has played and taught at several other summer festivals.
Rich has also performed with Columbus ProMusica, Cincinnati Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Boston Ballet, Summit Brass, Canadian Brass, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, The Beach Boys, Indigo Girls, The Temptations, Sarah McLachlan, John Pizzarelli, Arturo Sandoval, and more. He is currently a member of the Dayton Philharmonic.
Rich loves entertaining and educating audiences with his small ensembles: The Greater Dayton Brass Ensemble and Latin USA. He has led hundreds of school performances that incorporate comedy, science, trivia, and pop and rock music. Rich is also in The Klaberheads, a popular Oktoberfest Band that plays everything and defies categorization…you won’t think “polka band” when you hear this group. Rich also has a special interest in Klezmer music and runs The Flying Klezmerians, sharing the style in about 20 performances per year.
Rich loves to teach band, low brass, general music, music appreciation, and music technology from pre-k to college. His current posts include Sinclair Community College, Indiana University East, Earlham College, and the Dayton Regional STEM School where he is the band director.
If you ever catch him at home, Rich will be with his kids, feeding pets, biking, or repairing bikes.
Why Rich Plays Edwards
