Conductor
Quincy Area Youth Orchestra
Richard Cangro, Conductor, Quincy Area Youth Chorus
Originally from Staten Island, NY, Richard Cangro, Ph.D., is a Professor and Program Coordinator for Music Education at the Western Illinois University School of Music. He was formerly a public school band and orchestra director for 15 years in Connecticut, as well as a youth ensemble conductor and chamber music coach for the Hartt School Community Division, University of Hartford (West Hartford, CT). Dr. Cangro received a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, a Master of Music Education from the Hartt School, and a Ph.D. in Music Education also from Hartt.
A two-time Fulbright grant recipient, Dr. Cangro is active as a presenter, curriculum consultant, adjudicator and conductor. He has presented workshops and sessions for several school districts and at numerous music educator conferences throughout the US, as well as presented professional development to teachers and students in Canada, China, Ecuador, England, Myanmar, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Serbia, Taiwan (ROC), and Thailand. His articles on music learning and teaching have been published in journals including: UPDATE: Applications of Research in Music Education; Selected Papers from the 6th International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education; American Music Teacher; and Music Educators Journal.
Musically, Dr. Cangro has a wide range of performance experience as a trumpet player and conductor. He is a member of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, performs with the Quincy and Jacksonville Symphonies, and has been an active orchestral player and chamber musician for over 25 years. He has conducted several school, festival, community, and adult groups, and is currently the music director/conductor of the Monmouth Civic Orchestra and the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra.
At WIU, Dr. Cangro directs the music education program, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in music education, advises the Collegiate NAfME chapter, and supervises student teachers. He serves on several university committees and is the Midwest Regional Vice-president for the National Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society, promoting international scholarship and collaboration.
