About the Author

Richard K. Jones has been a member of the faculty of Nebraska Wesleyan University since 1981 where he currently serves as the Director of Integrative Teaching and Learning Technologies. He has been instrumental in developing and implementing the technology component for NWU’s innovative Archway Curriculum. Mr. Jones was the recipient of the 2005-2006 Exemplary Teaching Award presented by the General Board of Higher Education and the Ministry of the United Methodist Church.

Mr. Jones currently holds the chair of Principal Timpani with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra and (retired) Assistant Principal Timpani with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, positions he has held for more than forty years. In the course of his career, he has worked with many world-class artists including Robert Shaw, Arthur Fiedler, Christopher Hogwood, Henry Mancini, Aaron Copland, Pinchas Zukerman, Itzak Perlman, Joan Sutherland, Lorin Hollander, Leontyne Price, Yo-Yo Ma, Midori, Andre Watts and Jean Pierre Rampal, and countless others. Mr. Jones has also served numerous terms as musician representative on both the Lincoln’s Symphony and Omaha Symphony Board of Directors.

As a timpanist, in addition to designing and building his own timpani  mallets, he enjoys building the instrument he plays. Mr. Jones has designed and built multiple sets of chain timpani and refurbished/rebuilt four complete sets of Dresden timpani.

When not teaching at Nebraska Wesleyan University or performing with the LSO, Mr. Jones teaches privately through Foster Jones Studios, which he founded in 1980 with his wife, Willa Foster Jones. In his spare time, Mr. Jones dabbles in composing a type of music which he describes as “algorithmic-specific-electro-acoustic moment music;” i.e., music composed in and existing for a specific moment. His most recent work, The Eternal Dance of the Celestial Canon of Tiers, received its première by Lincoln’s contemporary music ensemble, The New Music Agency, in October of 2005.

Richard has been affiliated with PAS (Percussive Arts Society) since 1974 and served as the Nebraska Chapter President from 1984-1989.

Recent compositions
Dialogue Redux 2004.10.12c.00:31-00:44 UTC for small ensemble and electronic sounds

The Eternal Dance of the Celestial Canon of Tiers Meditation on a divine confession

The Music of Enis Albert: Electronic Cosmologism

PGT-SIC-5617: A Study in Compression  The Enis Albert Trio

Temporal Phases for International Jazz Day 2017: The Enis Albert Quartet