Cioffari

RICHARD CIOFFARI holds degrees from The University of Michigan and is Professor Emeritus of Music Performance Studies at Bowling Green (OH) State University where he taught for 30 years and served as co-director of orchestral activities as well as department chair for seven years. An unusually versatile musician, he has extensive experience as pianist, double bassist, composer and conductor. Prior to his university career he was the principal bassist of the North Carolina Symphony and after his retirement from teaching he was the principal keyboardist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for 14 years.

Although he has been composing for manyyears, it has become his major focus. Professor Cioffari is the author of many musical works in print and has received commissions and performances from artists and ensembles of national and international stature. His music has been presented at conferences of the International Double Reed Society, the International Horn Society, the International Trumpet Guild, the National Flute Association, the International Tuba Euphonium Association, the New York Brass and on NPR’s “From the Top.” 

Several of his compositions appear on the Music Educator's National Conference state affiliates' contest lists as well as European conservatory repertory lists, and at least three of his works, for bassoon, and trumpet ensemble are generally considered as standard repertory for those media. His awards include first prize in the National School Orchestra Association’s RothComposition Contest for his “Starlight Nocturne” for orchestra and a Pro-Musica Chamber Orchestra-Greater Columbus Arts Council Performance Grant for his “Odyssey” for flute, strings and harp. He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and is listed in the International Who's Who in Music.

He lives in Dublin, Ohio with his wife, Eva, a retired chemical information specialist. He has two children, Adam, an opera singer and stage director, and Cara, a digital graphic artist. When away from music, he enjoys amateur radio and metal detecting.