Ralph Metcalf

Ralph Metcalf graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and additional studies in string pedagogy. He was an instrumental and classroom music teacher for the Shrewsbury Public Schools for 37 years. Under Ralph’s direction, the Shrewsbury High School Orchestra won gold medals in four of five appearances at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association festivals. In 1998, the Orchestra received a superior rating and Judges’ Choice Award at the Music in the Parks Festival in Hershey PA.

In 1991 Ralph received the Orchestra Director of the Year award from the Massachusetts School Orchestra Association and the Lowell Mason Award for his important contributions to music and music education. Ralph is the founding conductor of the Worcester Youth Concert Orchestra, which he conducted from 1989 to 1998.

As a performer, Ralph is a freelance musician and has played trumpet for many years in the Concord Orchestra, the New England Philharmonic, Metro West Symphony and the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra. Ralph has been a member of the Joy of Music faculty since 2001.