Fleming Featured in WBFO Story on Urban Music Education

Rick Fleming, associate professor of music and conductor of the Buffalo State Wind and Jazz ensembles, was featured in a four-minute piece on National Public Radio affiliate WBFO on February 25. Reporter Nick Lippa’s story focused on the dearth of African Americans represented in orchestras across the country. To counter this, Fleming spoke about the need for classical music education in urban K-12 schools.

The story also explored Fleming’s beginnings as a musician growing up in Mississippi. He said everything started to click for him after attending Mississippi Valley State University where he landed a spot in the Jackson Symphony Orchestra as a sophomore. He went on to earn his master’s degree in trombone performance from the University of Mississippi and doctorate in music education from Florida State. He joined the Buffalo State faculty in 2001. 

As a trombonist, Fleming has performed with the Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Four Tops, Connie Francis, and Frankie Valli. He also has toured with the Irish Tenors and performs regularly for various organizations throughout Western New York.

At Buffalo State, Fleming has encouraged the next generation of musicians through the annual Summer Music Institute, which he founded in 2013. The institute is composed of one-week classical and jazz camps designed for area students entering seventh through 12th grade. Professional musicians and Buffalo State music majors teach the students in intensive master classes and improvisational groups.