Adjunct Lecturer, Saxophone
Email: rallenii@uttyler.edu
Department: Music
Rico Allen
Degrees
- Doctor of Musical Arts (candidate) in Saxophone Performance; related field: Wind Conducting, University of North Texas
- Master of Music in Saxophone Performance, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
- Bachelor of Music Education, Tarleton State University
Biography
RICARDO “RICO” ALLEN II is an emerging performer and educator from Dallas, Texas.
Through his passion for music education, he aims to foster the next generation of
young musicians.
As an active performer, Rico has performed at various venues across the United States
and Europe. In 2014, Rico traveled to New York City and performed at Carnegie Hall
with the Tarleton State University Wind Symphony. In 2016, Rico toured Italy with
the Tarleton State University Jazz Ensemble where they gave several performances across
the country. In 2017, Rico was the baritone saxophone soloist for David Maslanka’s
Hell’s Gate. Rico was selected to perform with both the World Adult Wind Orchestra
Project and World Youth Wind Orchestra Project in Schladming, Austria from 2018-2023
where he played principal soprano/alto saxophone and baritone saxophone. Rico was
the baritone saxophone soloist for the European premiere of Frank Ticheli’s Acadiana.
In 2023, Rico was selected along with the UNT Saxophone Ensemble to perform at the
XIX World Saxophone Congress in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Some notable artists/composers
Rico has worked with include: Jon Faddis, Wycliffe Gordon, Dave Pietro, John Fedchock,
Stockton Helbing, Terrell Stafford, The Four Tops, David Maslanka, and John Mackey
to name a few.
He is an alumnus of Tarleton State University from which he holds the degree of Bachelor
in Music Education. During his time at Tarleton, Rico has been the recipient of multiple
awards such as, the Center Stage Scholarship, and Concerto Competition winner in both
2016 (Fantasia for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble, Smith) and 2018 (Concerto for
Soprano Saxophone and Wind Ensemble, Mackey). Rico was selected to participate in
the 2018 CBDNA SW Regional Intercollegiate Band where he represented Tarleton as the
tenor saxophonist.
Rico completed his Master of Music (Saxophone Performance) degree at the University
of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. During his time at CCM, Rico served as
the Graduate Teaching Assistant and Ensemble Manager for the inaugural CCM Saxophone
Ensemble. Rico has commissioned several new works during his time at CCM including:
Patrick Wickliffe’s Concertino for Soprano Saxophone and Orchestra with the CCM Philharmonia,
Andy MacFarlene’s Strasburg No. 90, and Jason Richmond’s A Developing Tautology to
name a few. In 2019, Rico performed soprano and tenor saxophone for the world premiere
of David Clay Mettens’ UnMasqued with the CCM Wind Symphony under the direction of
Dr. Kevin Holzman. Rico can be heard playing alto saxophone on the 2021 CCM Wind Symphony
album Grand Pianola Music.
Rico is currently continuing his studies at the University of North Texas College
of Music where he is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Performance with
a related field in Conducting. During his time at UNT, Rico has served as principal
soprano/alto saxophone for the North Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene
Migliaro Corporon. In 2021, Rico was the alto saxophone soloist for Joshua Hobbs’
Into the Blue which can now be viewed on the composer’s official website. Rico can
be heard as the soprano saxophone soloist for Michael Daughtery’s American Gothic
and Paul Dooley’s Manifestos on the 2023 North Texas Wind Symphony albums Respair and Closure.
As an advocate of chamber music, Rico is co-founder of the saxophone quartet Lotus
where he currently holds the soprano saxophone chair. As a group, Lotus advocates
for diversity. Lotus makes a point to perform works by underrepresented composers
each concert and competition cycle. Some of the works performed by Lotus have been:
Juba by Florence Price, Hymn by Kati Agócs, Red Pine by Kristin Kuster, Echolocation
by Takuma Itoh, and Dwalm by Gemma Peacocke. In 2022, Lotus was selected to perform
a recital, and participate in a masterclass with Dr. Timothy McAllister at the 43rd
annual International Saxophone Symposium, hosted by the United States Navy Band. Recently,
Lotus has been asked to perform a concerto with the world acclaimed North Texas Wind
Symphony for their 2023-2024 concert season.
Being a huge proponent of music education, Rico currently has a private saxophone
studio where he teaches both classical and jazz students of all ages around the Dallas-Fort
Worth metroplex. Moreover, Rico is currently the Resident Jazz Saxophone clinician
for R.L. Paschal High School. Rico is currently on faculty at the University of Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of Music as Adjunct Instructor where he teaches Jazz Appreciation
and Hip Hop History and Culture. Rico currently serves as Adjunct Lecturer for Saxophone
at the University of Texas at Tyler.
Rico has studied under Claude Parker, Greg Ball, Dr. Andrew Stonerock, Dr. James Bunte,
Rick Vanmatre, Craig Bailey, and Dr. Eric Nestler. Rico’s professional affiliations
are Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, North American Saxophone Alliance, Jazz Educators
Network, and the Texas Music Educators Association.