Richard R. Cook ll

Rick Cook was appointed Director of Music at Southern New Hampshire University in the fall of 2008. During his short time at SNHU, the performing music program has expanded from one ensemble to eleven and the academic offerings have increased from one music history course to a full music minor. SNHU will introduce a music education major in the fall of 2011.

In the fall of 2009, Rick and retired Manchester High School band director Dave Bresnahan formed the Southern New Hampshire Community Band. This ensemble currently has just over 100 members and rehearses on Monday evenings at Southern New Hampshire University. The group is active during the fall and spring semesters. In part, it is intended to be an offseason playing opportunity for members of NH's various summer bands.

Rick is ABD from a Ph.D in Wind Conducting/Music Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he studied with Dr. Frank Battisti, one of the world's leading experts in the field of wind conducting. As a doctoral assistant, Rick served as the assistant conductor for the UMass Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Concert Band and Marching Band, observed student teachers, and taught courses in music education. Prior to this, Rick completed a Master's Degree in Wind Conducting/Music Education at the University of New Hampshire, studying primarily with Andrew Boysen, Jr. and did undergraduate work at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

Rick has written original compositions performed by various performing ensembles throughout New England, including the UMass Wind Ensemble, the Manchester Central High School Wind Ensemble, the Manchester Memorial High School Orchestra, the Winnecunnet High School Band, various ensembles at the University of New Hampshire and the Never's Second Regiment Band.

As a jazz trumpet player, Rick has performed with Clark Terry, Ingrid Jensen, Paquito D. Rivera and Dave Ballou. He currently serves as the trumpet section leader for the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast. One of Rick's private trumpet students currently holds the top score at the New Hampshire Jazz All-State festival.

Prior to graduate school, Rick taught band, orchestra, chorus and general music to students (grades 3-12) in the New Hampshire public schools. A Manchester, NH native, Rick now lives in Sandown with his wife Kim, a music teacher in the Timberlane school district, and his two cats.