Rich Magnuson is the drummer and leader of The Swingin' Vermont Big Band and it's smaller jazz combos.
He has performed as a sideman for The Vermont Jazz Ensemble, Joes's Big Band, The Dixie Six, Satin and Steel, Bob Gagnon Trio, Tom Cleary Trio, Don Schabner, Jenni Johnson, Dave Keller, Rick Norcross, and comedians Tom Murphy and Woody Keppel.
Rich has played drums and percussion for countless musical theater productions presented by Lyric Theatre Company, St. Michael's Playhouse, UVM's Royall Tyler Theatre, The Very Merry Theatre, Stowe Theatre Guild and numerous area high schools. He has performed classical percussion with the University of Vermont Orchestra, Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble, The Vermont Winds, The Bach Wind Philharmonia, and the Vermont Mozart Festival.
Rich has been teaching drums and percussion since 1987. His high school aged students have auditioned and been accepted into the District Music Festival, The All-State Music Festival (Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band and Orchestra), and The All New England music festival (Wind Ensemble and Orchestra). His students have gone on to be accepted into colleges and universities including:Berklee College of Music, Crane School of Music, Eastman School of Music, The New School, Oberlin College, Syracuse University, and The University of Vermont.
He is excited to join the faculty of the Vermont Jazz Camp and share his love of big band drumming!