Rick Kerber Scholarship
Rick Kerber, 45, died on Thursday, October 28, 1999. Rick was born in Philadelphia. He was a professional musician and music educator. He earned his bachelor's degree in music education form Temple University in 1975.
After graduation, he began performing for headliners in casino showrooms in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Casinos in Atlantic City.
He performed with Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick, Jr. and Frank Sinatra among many others. He also did extensive recording work for Columbia, Atlantic and MCA and can be heard on local TV and radio jingles. Mr. Kerber conducted the Region III Junior and Senior High School Jazz Ensembles and recently was the composer for the Junior & Senior High Jazz Trumpet Etudes for the New Jersey International Association for Jazz Education.
Since 1996, Rick was the conductor of the Mid-Atlantic All-Star Grammy High School Jazz Ensemble. For the last five years, he was an artist/clinician for the Yamaha Corporation and also a member of the Music Educators National Conference, International Association for Jazz Education, Vice President of the New Jersey Unit of IAJE, International Trumpet Guild and a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He was a frequent adjudicator for high school jazz festivals in the tri-state area and also a sought after clinician.
He is survived by his wife, Florence; a son Paul and a daughter Ashley, both at home; his parents, Heinz and Ilse Kerber of Warminster, Pa.; a brother, Ron of Southampton, Pa.; three nephews and seven nieces.
After graduation, he began performing for headliners in casino showrooms in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Casinos in Atlantic City.
He performed with Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick, Jr. and Frank Sinatra among many others. He also did extensive recording work for Columbia, Atlantic and MCA and can be heard on local TV and radio jingles. Mr. Kerber conducted the Region III Junior and Senior High School Jazz Ensembles and recently was the composer for the Junior & Senior High Jazz Trumpet Etudes for the New Jersey International Association for Jazz Education.
Since 1996, Rick was the conductor of the Mid-Atlantic All-Star Grammy High School Jazz Ensemble. For the last five years, he was an artist/clinician for the Yamaha Corporation and also a member of the Music Educators National Conference, International Association for Jazz Education, Vice President of the New Jersey Unit of IAJE, International Trumpet Guild and a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He was a frequent adjudicator for high school jazz festivals in the tri-state area and also a sought after clinician.
He is survived by his wife, Florence; a son Paul and a daughter Ashley, both at home; his parents, Heinz and Ilse Kerber of Warminster, Pa.; a brother, Ron of Southampton, Pa.; three nephews and seven nieces.
Scholarship Criteria
The "Rick Kerber Scholarship" is an award in honor of the late Rick Kerber who left this world much to early. His influence on students in the area of jazz music was profound and is missed. The "Rick Kerber Scholarship" is presented to an outstanding senior who is graduating from high school and will be attending college for the further study of music after graduation. Students are recommended for the scholarship by their jazz band directors. These students are then evaluated during the NJ State Jazz Band Festival performances and are then approved by a selection committee from the NJAJE executive board, the NJ State Jazz Band Festival Coordinator, and the State Festival Adjudicators.
The New Jersey Association for Jazz Education has established a scholarship fund in the memory of Rick Kerber.
Donations may be sent to:
The Rick Kerber Scholarship Fund
c/o John Maiello, NJAJE Treasurer
3 Spring Street
Stanhope, NJ 07874
Make checks payable to: NJAJE Kerber Scholarship Fund
Donations may be sent to:
The Rick Kerber Scholarship Fund
c/o John Maiello, NJAJE Treasurer
3 Spring Street
Stanhope, NJ 07874
Make checks payable to: NJAJE Kerber Scholarship Fund