Richard Nickerson has been Director of Choral Activities at Windham High School in Windham, Maine for the past 30 years where he conducts 3 choirs and teaches courses in music theory, guitar and music industry. In addition to his duties at Windham High School, Dr. Nickerson is Minister of Music at North Windham Union Church.
In constant demand as a guest conductor and clinician, he has made guest appearances in 18 states, 4 Canadian provinces and 8 European countries. He has conducted in major concert venues throughout the world, making his Carnegie Hall debut in 1998. He returned to Carnegie Hall in 2016 to conduct a festival choir made up of singers from Maine. He served for 8 seasons (2007-2014), as the conductor of the “Magic of Christmas” Chorus with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He also spent 8 years (2001-2009), as the Artistic Director of the Boy Singers of Maine. His choirs have performed for numerous dignitaries, including 3 US Presidents.
Dr. Nickerson has received numerous 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, he was recognized by Choral Director Magazine as one of 10 “Choral Directors of Note” in the United States. Last year, he was named as a Top Ten Finalist for the Music Educator Grammy Award. He has held numerous professional offices including 2 terms as President of the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. In 1997, a group of parents began a scholarship in his name, which is awarded each year to a Windham High School graduate planning to make choral music a part of their college experience.
Nickerson received a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Music Education, the 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. He has studied conducting with Dr. Eph Ehly, Dr. Charles Robinson, Dr. Dennis Cox, Werner Torkanowsky, Robert Shaw, Eric Ericson and Rodney Eichenberger.
He lives in Windham, Maine with his wife, Linda. He is the proud "papa" of twin daughters, Sarah, a graduate of St. Michael's College in Vermont and Arianna, a graduate of St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine and stepfather to Ben and Laura.
In constant demand as a guest conductor and clinician, he has made guest appearances in 18 states, 4 Canadian provinces and 8 European countries. He has conducted in major concert venues throughout the world, making his Carnegie Hall debut in 1998. He returned to Carnegie Hall in 2016 to conduct a festival choir made up of singers from Maine. He served for 8 seasons (2007-2014), as the conductor of the “Magic of Christmas” Chorus with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He also spent 8 years (2001-2009), as the Artistic Director of the Boy Singers of Maine. His choirs have performed for numerous dignitaries, including 3 US Presidents.
Dr. Nickerson has received numerous 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, he was recognized by Choral Director Magazine as one of 10 “Choral Directors of Note” in the United States. Last year, he was named as a Top Ten Finalist for the Music Educator Grammy Award. He has held numerous professional offices including 2 terms as President of the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. In 1997, a group of parents began a scholarship in his name, which is awarded each year to a Windham High School graduate planning to make choral music a part of their college experience.
Nickerson received a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Music Education, the 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. He has studied conducting with Dr. Eph Ehly, Dr. Charles Robinson, Dr. Dennis Cox, Werner Torkanowsky, Robert Shaw, Eric Ericson and Rodney Eichenberger.
He lives in Windham, Maine with his wife, Linda. He is the proud "papa" of twin daughters, Sarah, a graduate of St. Michael's College in Vermont and Arianna, a graduate of St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine and stepfather to Ben and Laura.
