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RICK LOPEZ

This page is updated:
October 16, 2020 1:51 PM

Rick Lopez is a free-lance trombonist, music writer, educator, former member of the Air Force Band Of The West (77-81) where he was awarded Airman Of The Year for 1980. Originally from New Jersey, he gained much of his experience behind the great teaching of his high school band director Henry (Hank) Burr, the Ramapo College Jazz Workshops, tubist/conductor John Peter Holly, bass trombonist Tony Salvatori and performances with Don Butterfield's (d-2006) North Jersey Area Brass Ensemble. Rick performed on trombone and euphonium in high school, and considers himself just as skilled on one as the other. Rick is the director of Rick Lopez & The Tubas, which was featured every Christmas Eve and on several Independence Days from 1986 to 1998 on WOAI radio in San Antonio (trombone virtuoso Ron Wilkins performed on lead euphonium for this group, along with some of San Antonio's finest low brass musicians). He has played in several big bands in the San Antonio area and throughout the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Since 1979, Rick has been a church instrumental musician (trombone, electric bass, piano, trumpet and euphonium). For 28 years, he served as choir and orchestra director, and most recently was the Fine Arts Director for First Assembly of God Church in McAllen, Texas(2000-2007). Rick started his university education at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, and finished his BA in Music at the University of Texas Pan American (UPTA-‘95), where he studied trombone under Wally Tucker, and also served as president of the UTPA MENC Chapter 652 for 2 years. His name also appears in Who’s Who of American Colleges and Universities, 1994. As a Texas lifetime certified teacher, he taught middle school band for seven years. He was also a member of the McAllen Symphonic Band, where he performed on euphonium, trumpet, tuba and lead trombone and also wrote several arrangements for the band, including 4 selections featuring 3 (Italian) tenor trombones. He also served as president of the band in 2000, and filled in as its conductor on several occasions. An experienced writer, Rick has produced compositions and arrangements for trombone (jazz etudes, trombone ensembles, concerto) flute (concerto), concert band (all levels), jazz ensemble, piano, trumpet and church choir. He is also the main composer for the new musical, Waltzing In Heaven, which debuted at Wichita State University in October, 2008. Rick performed on lead trombone for Jerry Lewis, Myron Floren, Don Rickles and others. He’s also had the privilege and opportunity to work with Christian music artist Lanny Wolfe on several CD audio production projects. Rick is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association.

He encourages young people to continue their musical skills beyond high school, and believes that community bands are a great outlet for this goal.
Rick is grateful to his lovely wife and worship leader, Noemi, for her love and support of his musical endeavors, and for her prayers and tears (of joy) whenever he performs, especially on trombone, in the ministry of The Lord, Jesus Christ.


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