Richard D. Brasco is a native of Jeannette, Pennsylvania where he graduated from Jeannette High School. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina.
Mr. Brasco is an educator with thirty-five years of teaching experience in Georgia and South Carolina. Concert, jazz, and marching bands under his direction have performed at the Georgia and South Carolina state music conventions, American School Band Directors Association National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, the university of South Carolina Conductor’s Symposium, the University of Georgia Winter Music Festival (Janfest), The Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the Lord Mayor’s Parade in London, and the Easter Festival in Maastricht, the Netherlands. His bands have received consistent Superior ratings in level VI music in festivals and contests in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. He has served as guest clinician/adjudicator in London, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; Alaska, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, The University of Georgia, and Winthrop University in South Carolina. Mr. Brasco also conducted the second band at Winthrop University Summer Band Camp for twelve years. During Mr. Brasco’s tenure at Evans two pieces were commissioned by the Evans High band. LEGEND OF THE SWORD was premiered by the Evans Wind Ensemble I with the composer, David Shaffer, conducting. HEAVEN’S LIGHT was premiered by the Evans Wind Ensemble I with the composer, Steven Reineke, conducting.
Mr. Brasco is a five-time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence, the ASBDA/Stanbury Award, and the ASBDA Career Achievement Award. He has received “Teacher of the Year Award” and “Star Teacher Award” on three occasions at Evans High School in Evans, Georgia. Mr. Brasco received the “Golden Apple Award” from WJBF television and was also featured in the national “Band and Orchestra” magazine article: “Educators Who Make A Difference”. Mr. Brasco was inducted into the “Wall of Fame” at Evans High School in 2008.
Mr. Brasco’s professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu where he has served as treasurer, American School Band Directors Association, National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Music Educators National Conference. Mr. Brasco has served in various capacities in the Georgia Music Educators Association including GMEA Board of Directors, Chairman of District Ten and Chairman of District Ten Honor Band Clinic. Mr. Brasco is also a member of the South Carolina Band Directors Association and The South Carolina Music Educators Association. While teaching in South Carolina, Mr. Brasco was on the Board of Directors of SCBDA, and served as the chair of the State Concert Festival Committee. He is presently in charge of the Composer Commissioning Program for GMEA District Ten.
Although Mr. Brasco retired in 2003, he remains active on the music education scene. He is adjunct faculty at Augusta State University. He conducts the ASU Conservatory Wind Symphony made up of high school students from Georgia and South Carolina. He conducts the high school ensemble in the ASU Summer Band Camp. Mr. Brasco is also the conductor of Savannah River Winds which is an adult wind ensemble. This ensemble has performed at the GMEA State Music In Service Convention, the South Carolina Music Educators State convention, and the Westobou Festival in Augusta, GA. Savannah River Winds upon the request of David Shaffer, a renowned composer of wind band music, recorded several of his compositions for C.L. Barnhouse Publishing Company. In 2010 Savannah River winds was the recipient of the prestigious Sudler Silver Scroll Award issued by The John Philip Sousa Foundation. Mr. Brasco also conducted the Augusta Community Concert Band for thirteen seasons, the North Augusta Community Concert Band for five seasons, and has performed with and served as musical director for the Augusta Players. He also was invited by the United States Army Field Band from Washington, D.C. to guest conduct during their 2010 tour of the Southeast. Mr. Brasco is still an active clinician/adjudicator in Georgia and North and South Carolina.
Mr. Brasco currently resides in North Augusta, South Carolina with his wife Barbara. Their son, Craig, lives in Marietta, Georgia with his wife Erika, daughter Natalie, and son Nicklaus. Their daughter Mia, lives in Aiken, South Carolina with her husband C. Allen Miller, and their daughters Penelope and Julia.