Having dedicated more than 43 years to teaching and advocating for the arts, Jeffery Richardson’s legacy as the director of the Broughton Magnet High School Band, twenty years of service on the Theatre In the Park Board of Directors, and most recent role teaching at Underwood Magnet Elementary School are just some of his notable contributions to arts education in Wake County and beyond.
A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, and a 1978 graduate of The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, “JR” served for 34 years as the Band Director at Needham B. Broughton Magnet High School. During his tenure, the Broughton Band represented the Wake County Public School System and The City of Raleigh at numerous prestigious events, including the 2012 and 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, the 2001 World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Holland, the 1993 and 1990 King Orange Parade in Miami, Florida, and the 1989 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC. Other notable musical experiences have included performances for President Barack Obama (2009), President George H. W. Bush (1989), and President Ronald W. Reagan (1984), as well as Jay Leno and Oprah Winfrey.
Even though students were given numerous opportunities to showcase their talents and abilities around the world, the annual hometown Raleigh Christmas Parade was always the “centerpiece” performance as this gave all band members the opportunity to show their appreciation to the community that supported them through all their yearly music endeavors.
During JR’s years at Broughton, he received the following honors and awards:
- 2021 Inductee, North Carolina Band Masters Association Hall of Fame
- 2012 Recipient, North Carolina’s “Order of the Long Leaf Pine”
- 2010 Recipient, Walt Disney World Magic Music Days “Lifetime of Excellence in the Arts”
- 2008 Recipient, City of Raleigh “Medal of Arts” Award
- 2007 Recipient, The News and Observer’s “Tar Heel of the Week”
- 2007 Recipient, North Carolina Symphony’s “Inspire the Future” Award
- 2007 Recipient, Richard M. Jewell Teaching Excellence Award (also in 1994 and 1988)
- 2003 Inductee, Broughton High School Athletics Hall of Fame
- 2003 Recipient, Wake County PTA Outstanding Teaching Award
- 2001 Recipient, School Band/Orchestra Award for ”50 Conductors/Directors Across the United States Who Make A Difference”
- 1994 Recipient, Richard Jenrette Teaching Endowment Award
Today, you can still find JR serving WCPSS as the Instrumental Band Instructor at Underwood Magnet Elementary School. On some days, you might find him in morning carpool, handing out dog treats or even dressed as “Darth Vader” or “Uncle Sam” or the “Birthday Bunny” performing “Happy Birthday” on trumpet as staff and students arrive for school. He continues to advocate for the arts as the Musical Conductor for the annual “Pieces of Gold” arts extravaganza held each year in Downtown Raleigh. He also serves as a staff member for The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill band program, and for Music for All/Bands of America in Indianapolis, Indiana. If that was not enough, he is also very active as a Past President and current Board of Directors member at Theatre In The Park and can be seen on stage in the theatre’s annual holiday production of “A Christmas Carol.”
JR presently resides in Wendell, hiking and walking many neighborhood trails, allowing him to eat more ice cream each night.
JR Richardson was inducted into the Wake County Public School System Hall of Fame in 2021.
