Richard Bell, Cello

Richard Bell grew up in Norman, OK, in a musical family where his father taught piano at the Universtiy of Oklahoma and his mother was a mezzo-soprano. Bell went to the University of Iowa, where he earned a BA in Cello Performance and received a MA in Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Richard has studied cello with Alan Harris and chamber music with members of the Cleveland Orchestra. Following collegiate studies, Richard joined the Columbus (OH) Symphony as the Associate Principal cellist. Mr. Bell lived in Columbus for 30 years, with his wife, Clare, and his three children. Richard was a founding member of the Seraphin Trio, with two colleagues from the Columbus Symphony performing all around the central Ohio area, and as faculty at Otterbein College. Mr. Bell wrote several arrangements for the trio, including one of the Dvorak Terzetto for Two Violins and Viola, which was eventually published by the International Music Co. Since then, Richard has had two more pieces published by International. Richard and his wife moved to Kansas City in the summer of 2008 when Clare got a job teaching math education at University of Missouri at Kansas City. After many years in Ohio, Richard felt it was time to leave the Columbus Symphony, since they were facing very serious financial problems. Since coming to Kansas City, Richard has maintained an active freelancing career and private teaching studio, in addition to his work with the Kansas City Symphony.

Ten questions about me:

What is your earliest musical memory?

One of my earliest musical memories is hearing my father rehearsing Schubert songs with a baritone. They used to practice in our living room.

When did you know you wanted to be a professional musician?

When I was a junior in high school, I had some success at the All-State Orchestra. From that time I thought I might be able to have a career in music.

What is your favorite thing about performing music?

It is such a privilege to be in an orchestra such as the Kansas City Symphony, and be a part of recreating some of the greatest works of art that mankind has every produced.

Other than your Kansas City Symphony concerts, where else can audiences catch you performing in town?

I am in an early music ensemble called the Kansas City Baroque Consortium. We play concerts at William Jewell College in the summers and also at other times of the year in other locations.

Who is your most inspiring composer?

Probably Johann Sebastian Bach.

What is the best part about being a musician in the Kansas City Symphony?

The best part of being in this orchestra is working with my colleagues, as we prepare great music.

Tell us about your family and your hobbies.

I like to do some woodworking; I've made several pieces of furniture that we use. I met my wife, Clare, at the Cleveland Institute of Music and we got married soon after we graduated. After moving to Columbus we had three kids. David is the oldest and is married and expecting their first child (our first grandchild, which is very exciting for all of us). David is very talented in art, but now works in rehabbing homes. Megan is our second child and is a wonderful soprano. Megan earned a BA from the Eastman School of Music and alsoan MA from Bowling Green University. She now lives in Elgin, IL, with her husband. Thomas is our youngest. He is still in school at Ohio State University. He will have a linguistics degree soon and then be out in the world. He likes to race his bike in events that the OSU bike club attends. He also likes to mountain bike.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment is being married to Clare for a long time, and having three wonderful children.

Where is your favorite place to hang out?

I really like to relax in my back yard. We've done some really nice work on it and now it's very pleasant to be there.

What good book have you read recently?

Jane Eyre, finally! It really is a good book