Rico Contenti is a junior at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Mr. Contenti is pursuing a degree in organ performance as a student of David Higgs. Originally from Salem, Oregon, Contenti began his piano studies at the age of four and organ at age nine.
In July of 2002, Mr. Contenti played a "rising stars" recital at the national AGO convention in Philiadelphia. The concert included the premiere of a Bruce Neswick piece comissioned for the convention. In the summer of 2001, Mr. Contenti won first prize in the region VIII Regional Competiton for young organists. In both 2002 and 2001, Contenti was awarded second prize in the Augustana Arts-Reuter organ competiton for undergraduates in Denver, Colorado. Previous concerts and engagements have included the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, Alberta, the Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah, and the OMTA State Bach Recital in Eugene, Oregon. Contenti has played in master classes with Simon Preston, Marylin Mason, David Higgs and Johannes Langren.
Currently, Mr. Contenti serves as director of music and organist at Reformation Lutheran Church in downtown Rochester.
