Co-Music Director
Geoffrey Richter (d. 2010)
Geoffrey Richter was born in New York City and grew up in Eden, NY. His passion was education in music and the arts. His impressive career included teaching at Williamsville North High School, where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and Concert and Symphonic Bands. During that time, he provided a major influence on musical theater, having been Musical Director for over 45 shows at North High School, for the Amherst Youth Board, St. Joe’s Collegiate Institute, and Mount Saint Mary’s High School. Geoff played trumpet professionally with Mannheim Steamroller, The Irish Tenors, the Rochester, San Antonio, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestras, and the Niagara Falls, Binghamton, Chautauqua, Orchard Park, Clarence, Cheektowaga, and Amherst Symphony Orchestras. Most recently, he performed with, and was co‐founder of, the Buffalo Brass Quintet, The Frankfurters (an internationally known Bavarian show band), and the Buffalo Niagara Concert Band. In addition to being Co-Music Director of the BNCB, Geoff was also the summer/pops conductor of the Erie County Wind Ensemble and Amherst Symphony Orchestra.
Geoff received his Bachelor of Music Degree with a coveted Performer’s Certificate in trumpet and a Masters with a Performer’s Fellowship, also in trumpet, from the Eastman School of Music. He was proficient in the trumpet, flugelhorn, Swiss alphorn, and Bavarian cow bells.
After retiring from the Williamsville School District, Geoff became an avid golfer, worked part‐time with the Mount Saint Mary Academy Band, and acted as Music Director for St. Joseph Collegiate Institute’s musicals. Additionally, he and his wife, Janet, enjoyed traveling.
Even with all of Geoff’s accomplishments and passions, the love of his life was his family. Geoff’s wife, Janet, is a retired Teacher of the Deaf and Special Education Teacher who lives in Williamsville. Her instruction and love of dance inspired their daughter, Julia, to go into the field. After performing around the country for ten years, she “retired” and now works a “real job” as a corporate events planner out of Chicago. She will become Mrs. James Patterson, marrying her best friend, at the end of the summer.