Richard Carrick is a conductor, clinician, singer, and educator whose work spans professional, academic, sacred, and community music settings. He currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at The College of St. Scholastica, where he conducts the Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, and teaches courses in conducting, vocal pedagogy, and choral methods. He is the Chorus Master for the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and Director of Music at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth, Minnesota.
Carrick is Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Borealis Chamber Artists, a professional vocal ensemble dedicated to innovative, inclusive, and collaborative performances. As Managing Editor of Star of the North, the publication of the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota, he contributes to shaping statewide choral dialogue and supporting the professional growth of Minnesota’s choral community.
He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, studying with Geoffrey Boers and Giselle Wyers. His musical interests include choral-orchestral masterworks, early music, and contemporary repertoire that explores themes of justice, identity, and belonging.
Outside of music, Richard enjoys exploring the trails of northern Minnesota, playing golf, and spending time with his wife and children.
“Richard has a keen ear for tonality, balance and pitch and uses these skills to produce music that’s both a pleasure to sing and a joy to hear.”
Achievements
While studying at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, Richard was the recipient of many scholarships and awards, including the Barbara M. Jones Music Scholarship, the Janet Lee Memorial Award, and the Harold P. and Rosalie Davidson Memorial Music Scholarship..
While studying at the University of Oregon, Richard served as a Graduate Teaching Fellow for Music Education Professor Frank Diaz.
Richard has had the honor of working with some of the world's most respected conductors, including Helmuth Rilling, Matthew Halls, Jeffrey Kahane.
While attending the University of Oregon, he competed in and received top honors at the International Choir Festival in Tallinn, Estonia.
Recipient of the 2018 F. Melius Christiansen Graduate Study Scholarship