Professor of Oboe Richard Killmer has been named an Honorary Member of the International Double Reed Society.
Richard Killmer, a concert oboist and professor of oboe at the Eastman School of Music, was named an Honorary Member of the International Double Reed Society. The honor is awarded to individuals who have made distinguished contributions within the double reed world.
In a letter notifying Killmer of the honor, the Society’s Executive Secretary Norma R. Hooks noted, “Your teaching at Eastman and the enormous number of students you have worked with who have made their mark on the double reed world is a true testament of your influence. Musicians all over the world have been touched by you.”
As a concert oboist, Killmer was principal oboist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra for 11 years and principal oboist of the Oklahoma City Symphony for three years. He has also served as principal oboist of the Aspen Festival Orchestra and the Lake Placid Sinfonietta. He has performed at the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego, the Banff Centre, and the Sarasota Music Festival. In addition, Killmer was principal oboist with the NORAD Band during his three years in the United States Army, performing on numerous recordings and television programs.
Killmer joined the Eastman faculty in 1982 and was awarded the School’s Eisenhart Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1985. In 2006, he received the Gustave Stoeckel Excellence in Teaching award from the Yale School of Music, where he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees and served as Visiting Professor for six years.
In addition, Killmer has served on many juries, including the Japan Oboe Competition, Geneva International Music Competition, Gillet Oboe Competition, Lucarelli Oboe Competition, and the Prague Spring Oboe Competition.
Killmer’s recognition adds to the list of Eastman faculty who were made Honorary Members of the International Double Reed Society: K. David Van Hoesen, professor emeritus of bassoon, and Robert Sprenkle, who was professor emeritus of oboe at the time of his death in 1988.
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