Dr. RICKY BROOKS I CLINICIAN

Dr. Ricky Brooks retired as Director of Bands at the University of Central Arkansas in 2021. While Director of Bands, Dr. Brooks administered the UCA Band Program, conducted the Wind Ensemble, and taught graduate and undergraduate classes in conducting, music education, and wind literature. The UCA Wind Ensemble performed twice, by invitation, in Carnegie Hall, New York City. Under Dr. Brooks, the Wind Ensemble also performed at the International Wind Band Festival in Salzburg and Vienna, Austria, the Capitol in Washington D.C, the CBDNA Southwest Convention, Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas, TX, twice at the Southwest Region Tuba/Euphonium Convention, the Arkansas Music Educators Convention, and the Arkansas All-State Band/Choir/Orchestra Convention.

Dr. Brooks, and wife, Sheila, were recently inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Arkansas Bandmasters Hall of Fame. He is President Elect of Dixie/UCA Summer Band Camps, and past Conductor/Music Director of the Conway Community Band. Dr. Brooks holds the BME and MME from Delta State University, and the Ph.D. in Music Education/Conducting from Louisiana State University. Conducting teachers include Wendy Evanson, Francis McBeth, Bob Foster, and Frank Wickes. Prior to UCA, Dr. Brooks taught at Murray State University (Kentucky), and team taught with his wife, Sheila, in the public schools of Mississippi and Arkansas.

Dr. Brooks is also a member of the American Bandmasters Association. He is a recipient of the Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year, past president of the Arkansas Bandmasters Association, and past president of the Arkansas chapter of the College Band Directors National Association. He has articles on music education and conducting published in professional music journals and magazines.

Dr. Brooks continues to serve as Worship Leader at Friendship Baptist Church in Conway. In retirement he enjoys working at church, golf, hiking, time with family, and traveling with Sheila. He and Sheila have three children – Aaron (daughtern-law Mallory H. Brooks), Scott, Mallory Vinzant (son-in-law John Vinzant), plus three grandchildren.