Richard (Rick) Erickson (Conductor, Organ)

Born: USA

The American conductor and organist, Richard (Rick) Erickson, began organ study at the age of fourteen following in his mother's and grandmother's footsteps. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin, Superior, and a Master's from the Eastman School of Music, in addition to the Performer's Certificate.

Rick Erickson served at Incarnate Word Lutheran in Rochester, NY, and at the Eastman School of Music, where he continues to teach in the summer Organ Improv Fest. Since 1992 he has served as Cantor and Organist at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church since 1992. During his tenure, Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity has continued to bring Bach cantatas and other works to life in the context of worship. In 1994 he founded BachWorks in New York. He has recently conducted "Bach events" in Houston, Seattle, Tulsa, and Minneapolis.

Rick Erickson has performed as organist, conductor, and hymn-festival leader throughout the USA and Europe. He has appeared at conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Pastoral Musicians, and Hymn Society of America. He served as co-editor for the choral edition of Bach for All Seasons, and has recorded for Augsburg Fortress, Naxos and JAV, among others. His choral arrangements are published by Augsburg Fortress and Kjos Publishers, and he appeared in the acclaimed film 13 Conversations About One Thing. This past year (2006) he arranged and directed music for the play The Orphan Singer, produced by Making Books Sing, which will be published by Boosey and Hawkes. He is also an Associate in Ministry in the ELCA.

Source: Bach Vespers at Holy Trinty Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (November 2008)

Rick Erickson: Short Biography | Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity | Recordings of Vocal Works

Links to other Sites

Cantor Rick Erickson (Bach Vespers at Holy Trinty)

Summer Session Faculty - Summer Session - Eastman School of Music