Bio

Richard Hicks has worked as a pianist and organist in various capacities since he was a teenager in the 1960s, as a church organist and director, solo performer, accompanist, and studio musician.  Richard’s performance experience includes classical piano and organ repertoire,  jazz,  blues, rock, and other genres.  

Richard earned a bachelor's degree in piano performance at Syracuse University, and a master's degree in music education and piano performance at The Hartt School,  He completed graduate work at Central Connecticut State University leading to an additional teaching endorsement in elementary education.  He has also studied computer science.

Richard taught music history and music theory at The Hartt School as part of his graduate fellowship responsibilities.  In 1979 he began teaching music (and computer skills) at The Independent Day School in Middlefield, and in 1988 he started teaching music at Hamden Public Schools.  In 2015, Richard retired as a music teacher, after 36 years of being fortunate enough to do what he loves. 

Richard worked as a church organist and music director in various churches, including Augustana Lutheran (Meriden, CT), Church of the Resurrection (Roman Catholic in Wallingford), Unitarian Universalist Church (Meriden, CT), and Concordia Lutheran Church (Manchester, CT), where in 2015 he retired as minister of music.  Richard was honored by Concordia with the title Minister of Music, Emeritus. He now continues to work as a free-lance musician in New England.