About

Raquel Rodriquez is the Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky. At NKU, Raquel is the Coordinator of Brass Studies, teaches applied trumpet, plays 1st trumpet in the NKU Faculty Brass Quintet, and is the director of the Trumpet Ensemble, Brass Choir, and Concert Band. Dr. Rodriquez is also on the brass staff with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps(2012).

Raquel is a versatile musician having appeared as a clinician, soloist, and chamber musician throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and China. Raquel freelances frequently with many regional orchestras in Kentucky and Ohio and is a performing member with the Lexington Brass Band and Star United Mini-Corps (IN). Other performing credits include the Sunflower Music Festival Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Fountain City Brass Band, Athena Brass Band, Brass Theater with the Canadian Brass, and the Tony Award winning show, Blast!. She was a performing member of the internationally known Synergy Brass Quintet in their 2008-09 national tour and performed in over 200 concerts and clinics across the nation. Raquel is a Conn Selmer artist and performs exclusively on Bach trumpets.

Dr. Rodriquez is the co-editor of the IWBC (International Women’s Brass Conference) Newsletter and is on the Board of Directors for NABBA (North American Brass Band Association). Her articles have been published in the Instrumentalist Magazine and ITG Journal (Jan 2012). Dr. Rodriquez will present a cornet lecture recital at the 2012 ITG Conference in Columbus, GA. Dr. Rodriquez is a 2012 Recipient of a Faculty Project Grant at NKU and will record a CD of cornet music in 2012.

Raquel has been praised for her performances on trumpet and cornet. She has been a trumpet/cornet prize winner at NABBA (North American Brass Band Association), the US Open Brass Band Championships, the National Trumpet Competition, and the International Women’s Brass Conference.

The Brass Band Bridge said of her, “…I was very impressed, as was the audience, with her great sound, easy approach to the instrument and the confident presentation of a technically demanding work. Rachel showcased her complete control of the instrument pushing the tempo of many sections right to the edge.”

“She is one of the growing number of brass “stars” developing on this side of the pond…we have quite a bit of homegrown talent here.” 4barsrest.com.

“Raquel Rodriquez gives a dazzling performance of Arban’s cornet classic Carnival of Venice…Rodriquez makes it sound remarkably fresh and invigorating.” http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/May11/Celebration_DOYCD282.htm

Raquel recently performed as the featured cornet soloist with the Fountain City Brass Band at one of the most prestigious entertainment competitions in the world – The Brass In Concert Championships held at Gateshead, England on November 15, 2009. Her performance was described as…

 ”a bravura performance…a female Herbert L. Clarke… played with aplomb…excellent playing” 4barsrest.com.

Dr. Rodriquez received her BM and MA degrees from West Texas A&M University and DMA degree in trumpet performance at the University of North Texas. Her former teachers include Dave Ritter, John Holt, and Keith Johnson.

Brass in Concert 2009

2009 Scottish Open Brass Band Championship trophy

Star of Indiana Alumni Corps, 2010