John Richards to take final bow with MYS band

Dr. John Richards will conduct the Metropolitan Youth Symphonic Band this Friday at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall for the last time. Richards played principal tuba with the Oregon Symphony for over 50 years and is one of the most remarkable and energetic people I have ever met. He can play almost any instrument, has a collection of tubas that stretches back to the earliest kinds of tubas, has extensively travelled the globe, grew up on a farm in Idaho, served with military bands during WWII, has a doctorate in psychology and taught at Lewis & Clark College for many years. Richards has also rescued many tubas and other brass instruments from schools that were shutting down their music programs. He started the Tuba Christmas event and was the director of the MYS Symphonic Band.

Richards will conduct the "March of the Belgian Paratroopers" at the concert on Friday.