Rick Wilson joined Haywood Community Band in June of 2025 where he was welcomed by members of the trumpet section, the conductors, and felt right at home.

Like many kids, Rick began playing music in elementary school in his hometown of Roseville, Michigan. In ninth grade, he received a new trumpet from his parents, continued to play through high school, then enrolled at the University of Michigan where he played in the renowned Michigan Marching Band. He graduated from Michigan with an engineering degree in Applied Mathematics.

During his career, Rick was a technology consultant in four states while also playing in performance pit orchestras in more than 20 high school musical programs, adding depth to the high school players.

When not working or enjoying life with his wife and two (now grown) sons, Rick played in three to four bands in Reading, PA and three to four in Naples, FL. His beloved wife of 47 years recently passed away from Parkinson’s disease. 

New travel plans and relationships brought him to Asheville. When he looked around for a well-established organization to join to share music with the local community, he discovered the website of the Haywood Community Band. Rick found that the band plays inspiring and challenging music with objectives to perform locally and develop new talent. 

“It’s an invigorating environment in which to play,” Rick said. “A place to share my passion for performing with others.”