Dr. Charles Ricotta

Biography

Chuck Ricotta serves as the percussion instructor and arranger for the University of Michigan Marching Band Drumline. He also holds a music faculty position at Concordia University Ann Arbor and is the principal percussionist for the Flint Symphony Orchestra in Flint, Michigan. Ricotta has been a guest performer with numerous orchestras across Michigan, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Opera Theatre. He has appeared with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach and the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado. Ricotta participated in the performance and recording of William Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and Experience conducted by Leonard Slatkin at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor. He has been recognized with four Grammy Awards for Classical Recording for his contributions. As a percussion soloist, he has performed with the Flint Symphony Orchestra, the University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble, and at Carnegie Hall with the Concordia University of Ann Arbor Wind Ensemble. Additionally, he has presented performances at prestigious events such as Bands of America Grand National Championships and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He is actively involved in music education, directing percussion ensembles and serving as a clinician and consultant in local schools throughout the southeast Michigan area. Ricotta is also an educational artist for Yamaha Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, and Innovative Percussion. He resides in Ann Arbor and maintains a private teaching studio.

Research Interests