Chuck Ricotta
Chuck Ricotta has served as the percussion instructor and arranger
for the University of Michigan Marching Band Drumline since 2002.
Chuck is a former member and staff member of the Phantom
Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, Illinois. In addition,
he has also served on the instructional and design staff of the Penn
State University Indoor Drumline during their run as WGI
Independent Open champions and Independent World finalists.
Chuck is active as an ensemble director, clinician and consultant for
many local schools and organizations in the southeast Michigan area.
As a performing artist, Chuck currently serves as the principal
percussionist for the Flint Symphony Orchestra of Flint, Michigan. In
addition, he has been a frequent guest performer with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as well
as the Ann Arbor Symphony. He has also appeared with the Michigan Opera Theatre, Saginaw
Bay Symphony, the New World Symphony of Miami Beach, and the National Repertory
Orchestra of Breckenridge, Colorado. Chuck also participated in the performance and recording
of William Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and Experience under the baton of Leonard Slatkin at
Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor. The CD, available on the Naxos label, was the recipient of 4
Grammy Awards including Best Classical Recording.
Chuck earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Pennsylvania State University where
he was awarded the Performer's Recognition Award. He earned a Master of Music degree in
percussion performance from the University of Michigan.
Chuck is an Educational Artist for Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, and Innovative
Percussion. He also maintains a private teaching studio in Ann Arbor.