Author: stmaryjoy

Aidan Rickel is a teacher, composer, conductor, and instrumentalist currently enrolled at Wayne State University in the Masters of Music program. His musical education began on the piano twenty two years ago and it is still his primary instrument and first true love. Playing at many piano federation festivals, he received superior ratings for ten years. He is also an experienced organist, working freelance for social and religious services. He began studying the organ at age fourteen and was soon serving as a substitute organist for local parishes. While performing voluntarily at local senior care facilities he started to explore jazz and pop piano styles to entertain the residents, learning the value of a good Fake Book. Aidan graduated from Novi Highschool, he sang in their Concert Choral and performed in musical theater productions. He got his first position as Director of Music Ministries at eighteen serving at St. Peter and Pauls in downtown Detroit. He attended Wayne State University for his undergraduate studies receiving the Presidential Scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Singing for his Juries, he studied vocal performance privately as this was the primary instrument for his degree. He also sang in the choir under Dr. Duncan with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a number of their productions. He will be taking up the baton as Artistic Director of the Novi Choralaires for his first season this year, where he will direct the winter and spring concerts for the community. He is leaving his role as Director of Music Ministries at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Howell where he has conducted two choirs and a worship group of instrumentalists and soloists. He leads a resurrection choir for funerals and plays weddings for the local community. For the last twelve years he has taught a private studio of piano and organ students. When not directing or instructing he is composing and arranging his own music while pursuing his M. M. in Composition. He writes in a variety of styles, from sacred to jazz, composing a “Gloria” for his B.A. Thesis Project. He is thankful to God for faithfully leading his life at every step, and for the opportunity to begin serving at St. Mary this advent season.