Excellence in Artistic Activity
Dr. Richard Schwartz
Excellence in Artistic Activity
Dr. Richard Schwartz
Professor, Fine and Performing Arts
Music has been part of Richard Schwartz’s life since he was five years old and took piano lessons with his mother in Cherry Hill, N.J. But it was out of necessity that this year’s recipient of the President’s Award for Artistic Activity first picked up a saxophone in sixth grade; and he has been playing the sax, his instrument of choice, ever since.
“The band director at my elementary school needed low brass players, people who played
trombone or other brass instruments,” Schwartz recalled. “I didn’t want to play a
brass instrument, but I was willing to play the tenor saxophone, which could play
in the same range as the other instruments. So the director switched me from clarinet
to tenor saxophone.”
Schwartz plays the clarinet, bassoon and four saxophones on a regular professional
basis, but the saxophone is his favorite, even though he never took formal lessons
until his high school senior year.
“I took four private lessons in order to audition for college, and somehow I got into
Temple University,” he said. “When I think back on it, it’s bizarre; they must have
been pretty desperate. I enjoy the saxophone the most out of all the instruments I
play because it comes naturally to me.”
Schwartz earned his degree in music education from Temple University, his masters
in music from the University of Michigan, and, most recently, his doctorate of musical
arts from Boston University, the first school to offer a DMA. He moved to Hammond
in 2004 after accepting a music teaching position at Southeastern.
As faculty often do, Schwartz wears many hats. He currently serves as instructor of
saxophone and jazz, assistant director of bands, and director of Southeastern’s jazz
program. His favorite hat, however, is teaching.
“Richard has distinguished himself as a performing artist, teacher and director of
our jazz program,” said Kenneth Boulton, associate professor of music and director
of Southeastern’s Community Music School. “From my experience, his students have responded
to his instruction with enthusiasm and capability.”
In fact, since Schwartz has been teaching at Southeastern, the number of saxophone
majors has tripled, and there are a number of non-majors in the studio as well.
“Under Mr. Schwartz’s guidance and tutelage, Southeastern began graduating saxophonists
for the first time in many years,” said former Southeastern colleague Andrew Seigel,
now an assistant professor of music at State University of New York at Fredonia. “The
handful of students that initially expressed an interest in jazz combos when he began
teaching here has now grown into multiple combos. The quality of these groups, in
terms of sound, style and ensemble playing, increases constantly, and Rich’s efforts
have culminated in his Jazz Ensemble II performing at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz and
Heritage Festival.”
Schwartz said he enjoys the interaction with the students and helping them achieve
their goals, because he understands the satisfaction of realizing some of his own
goals. He says he has much to accomplish now that his doctorate is complete.
That’s saying something considering what he has already accomplished: three degrees,
a major publication called The Tuning CD that is used by over 10,000 musicians and
educators from all over the world, and two, nearly three, U.S. patents under his belt.
However, he wants to produce a publishing web site that will carry some of his products,
as well as a musical intonation training web site.
Although teaching is his favorite role, Schwartz also enjoys performing in front of
an audience. He plays regularly with Danny Acosta, a Southeastern colleague. The jazz
duo performs at private events, such as wedding receptions, birthday parties, and
anniversaries.
He has worked with some big name artists including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Linda
Ronstadt and Johnny Mathis and has performed in the pit orchestras for national tours,
such as The Color Purple, Kiss Me, Kate, and The Producers.
In addition to his teaching and performing accomplishments, Schwartz also fancies
himself an entrepreneur.
“I like entrepreneurialism,” he said. “I like starting something and watching it grow,
like The Tuning CD.”
After Hurricane Katrina devastated the region, Schwartz created an organization called
Northshore Jazz to link musicians -- many of whom are local and have ties to Southeastern
-- with people who need live music. The group has helped individuals, and regional
and national businesses, including Winn Dixie Foods, The Dakota Restaurant of Covington,
La Provence, The Carter Plantation of Springfield, and Weddings InStyle Magazine.
Reflecting on his time at Southeastern, Schwartz seems genuinely pleased.
"I’m happy with the experiences I’ve had so far, and I look forward to the future
and playing more individually. I just enjoy playing!”
