He is a violist and teacher, first training as a violinist, who earned his Bachelor of Music in violin performance at City University of New York – Brooklyn College and his Master of Arts degree at Northern Illinois University.
In 1984 he became a member of the Minnesota Orchestra, afteer being appointed by Sir Neville Marriner, where he plays as Co-Principal Viola.
As a chamber musician he performed as a soloist with other orchestra members in 2003 for the string quartet concerto Pieces of Enlightenment by Stephen Paulus and in in 2004 the string quartet version of Wounded Fields by Steve Heitzeg, has played with the Musical Offering chamber ensemble, at numerous chamber music concerts and alongside his wife.
During his time with the orchestra he has been a campaign leader and fundraiser for the refurbishment of their existing hall. He retired in 2022 after 38 years.
Recordings he has performed on include Randall Thompson: String Quartets No.1/Little Prelude/Song After Sundown/String Quartets No. 2.
In the field of musical education he has been a member of the board of directors for the Minnesota Youth Symphonies. In 2019 he and the violinist Pamela Arnstein visited students in North Minneapolis as part of the orchestra’s Common Chords residency in the area. He has also been a private viola tutor to numerous music students.
He is married to Melinda who is a violinist with the Minnesota Opera Orchestra.
Sources:
- https://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/stories/saluting-our-retiring-musicians/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-marshall-4957696
- https://www.steveheitzeg.com/works/instrumental-and-chamber/wounded-fields-string-quartet-version/
- https://www.discogs.com/release/3648655-Randall-Thompson-String-Quartets-No-1-Little-Prelude-Song-After-Sundown-String-Quartets-No-2
- https://www.mnyouthsymphonies.org/board-staff
- https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/01/24/latest-tour-takes-minnesota-orchestra-three-miles-north-ascension-catholic-school