Rick Hirsch composer / arranger

Rick Hirsch (b.1970) is an award-winning composer, arranger, and saxophonist who began his career as a personal music copyist for Bob Mintzer and Toshiko Akiyoshi. He has written music for jazz icons Yusef Lateef, Tito Puente, Eddie Henderson, and Chris Vadala; the Capitol Quartet; and school ensembles nationwide.

Hirsch’s music has been performed by the US Navy Commodores, the Birdland Big Band, the Sydney Jazz Orchestra and countless others around the world. Nearly one hundred of his works are published by Alfred Music, HirschMusic, FJH and others.

Hirsch is also known for his inspiring and easy-going teaching style. He has conducted All-State Jazz Bands in Maryland, Iowa and Delaware; and countless PMEA District Jazz Bands.

He has been in residence at the University of Kentucky, Penn State, Ithaca College, the University of Maryland, Bucknell University, the Marin School of the Arts, and dozens of other schools. And he maintains an active local teaching studio.

Hirsch is a graduate of UMass-Amherst (B.A. summa cum laude) and Northern Illinois University (M.M). His most influential teachers were Yusef Lateef, Lynn Klock, Jeff Holmes, Ron Modell, Boysie Lowery and Bill Byerly.

Hirsch lives in State College, PA with his wife (science writer Rebecca Hirsch) and their daughters.