Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Richard Nickerson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Richard, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When I participated in my first music festival, it was the first time I had heard a full choral sound. Music had been a large part of my life and I thought my path would lead towards performance. Hearing that sound, however, changed everything for me. It was the first time that music moved me. It was at that moment that I knew I wanted to be a choral director. Forty four years later and I still have that feeling every day.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been Director of Choral Activities at Windham High School in Windham, Maine for the past 37 years. I am also the Artistic Director of the Maine Music Society, an adult choir based in Lewiston, Maine.
I have been very fortunate to serve as a guest conductor and clinician making guest appearances in 18 states, 4 Canadian provinces and 8 European countries. I have conducted in major concert venues throughout the world, making my Carnegie Hall debut in 1998. I returned to Carnegie Hall in 2016 to conduct a festival choir made up of singers from Maine. I also served for 8 seasons (2007-2014), as the conductor of the “Magic of Christmas” Chorus with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, 8 years (2001-2009), as the Artistic Director of the Boy Singers of Maine and 10 years (2010-2020) as the Minister of Music at the North Windham Union Church UCC. Choirs under my direction have performed for numerous dignitaries, including 3 US Presidents.
I have been honored to receive several awards including Maine Music Educator of the Year, Maine Distinguished Choral Director of the Year and runner up for Maine Teacher of the Year. In January 2009, I was recognized by Choral Director Magazine as one of 10 “Choral Directors of Note” in the United States. In 2017, I was named as a top ten finalist for the Music Educator Grammy© Award.
I am a member of the National Association for Music Education, Maine Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America and Choral Canada. In 1997, a group of parents began a scholarship in my name, which is awarded each year to a Windham High School graduate planning to make choral music a part of their college experience.
I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Music Education and Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Maine and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the Conservatory of Music – University of Missouri – Kansas City.
I live in Windham, Maine with my wife, Linda. We have four grown children and one grandchild.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As an educator, I am always looking for the lessons within the creative process. Most of my students will not go on to be professional musicians and I need to look for things they can take from the ensemble and apply to everyday life.
1. Working together towards a common goal.
2. Listening
3. Being punctual and accountable
4. Being prepared
These are all important parts of the creative process that have value well beyond the choral ensemble.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

In the early years, I wish I had known to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that comes from those who have already walked my path. For some unknown reason, I felt it was my duty to figure everything out on my own. Later, I started asking questions. The more questions I asked, the better advice I received. I wish I had the confidence to admit that I didn’t have all of the answers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://richardnickerson.com
• Instagram: rgnickerson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.nickerson.90
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-nickerson-242747a4/
• Twitter: N/A
• Youtube: @ricknickerson5525
• Yelp: N/A