RHS Orchestra Beat
Director Edition
Welcome, Mr. Fryklund, to RHS!!
Mr. Aaron Fryklund grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma. He began piano lessons at age 9 and joined orchestra as a violinist in the 6th grade. He made a hobby of learning new instruments and during middle school and high school learned to many instruments including all the string orchestra instruments as well as guitar, bass guitar, drums, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, trumpet, hammer dulcimer, and clarinet. He was in a number of bands including blues, funk, jazz, folk, and bluegrass groups.
He studied music composition at Oklahoma City University where he won the concerto competition in 2005 by playing a movement from Bernstein’s Second Symphony. There he studied composition with Edward Knight and conducting with Matthew Mailman. Mr. Fryklund is the founder of the OCU Composers Alumni Association and has coordinated many alumni concerts. In 2008 he received his masters degree from the University of North Texas in music composition studying with Andrew May, David Bithel, and Cindy McTee.
Mr. Fryklund began his career as an educator in Dallas ISD at T. C. Marsh Preparatory Academy. At this middle school, he worked hard to grow the program and kindle a love of music in his students. In 2015, he began working as the head orchestra director at Liberty JH in Richardson ISD and enjoyed working with his students to achieve high levels of success and enthusiasm for orchestra.
Mr. Fryklund performs from time to time as a professional musician and is also an active professional composer. He has won awards for his film music and has had his pieces performed in eight states and in Europe. He spent several years as composer-in-residence for a local theater company, was commissioned to compose music for a musical, and most recently has had three string orchestra pieces published through Carl Fischer. He is currently one of the composers commissioned by the state of Texas to write UIL sight-reading music for contest in Texas and several other states.
Mr. Fryklund also enjoys reading, games (both video and board), and spending time with his wife, Monika, and their sons, Adam and Alex.
About Us
469-593-3044
Email: sara.long@risd.org
Website: rhsorchestra.org
Phone: (469)593-3044
Twitter: @rhsorch