Richard Sorce is a published author, composer and Billboard charted songwriter, arranger and producer, and has been on the faculty at Ramapo College and William Paterson University since 1999. Prior to his current positions, he was on the faculty at New York University from 1980-1996 as professor of theory, aural skills, composition, piano, and director of the music theory program, as well as a Ph.D. dissertation committee member. He has taught piano, theory and composition privately for the past 25 years.
Sorce holds a Ph.D. in music theory and composition from New York University, an M.A. from NYU in theory, composition and higher education, and did undergraduate study at the Manhattan School of Music and the New York College of Music, as well as piano study at the Shenandoah Conservatory. He also holds NY and NJ K-12 teacher certification licenses.
Sorce has composed music for piano solo, chorus, ensembles and orchestra, written and co-written over 200 songs, and was commissioned to compose a ballet for the celebration of the Constitution Bicentennial performed by the Trenton Symphony Orchestra and the New Jersey Ballet. His music has been published by G. Schirmer, Theodore Presser, Warner Brothers, Boston Music Co., Excelsior Music, Middle Melody Music and Jackaroe Music. His books, including Music Theory for the Music Professional: A Comparison of Common Practice and Popular Genres, are published by Scarecrow Press/ Rowman and Littlefield. Two book manuscripts, now in press, will be published by Linus Publishing. Recordings of his “commercial” songs have been released on Arista Records, Vanguard Records, CBS Records (France), BMG, Quality Records (Canada), Green Pepper (Great Britain), United Performers, and others.
Sorce has received several Meet the Composer grants; he is an ASCAP award winning composer and songwriter, and the recipient of the Esteemed Faculty Award from New York University.
Available Compositions