Jennifer Rucker
Adjunct Instructor
Education and Certifications
BME, MME, M Ed from Central State University and the University of Central Oklahoma.
Teacher Certification, Oklahoma State Department of Education, General Music, Instrumental Music, School Counselor
Experience
Band Director -27 years-Retired
Private Woodwind Instructor, Adjunct Clarinet Instructor at UCO and Oklahoma Christian University, Home Studio.
Free-lance Professional Musician-OKC Philharmonic, Lyric Theater Orchestra, Cimarron Wind Quintet, Eclipse Woodwind Quartet, Principal Clarinet-Oklahoma Community Orchestra.
Classes Taught
Jennifer Rucker currently directs the Central Oklahoma Clarinet Choir. This group consists of amateur clarinetists from the community, college students from UCO and OC, and high school students from her home studio. This group started in 2014 and was selected in 2016 to participate at the International Clarinet Association's Clarinetfest, in Lawrence, Kansas. It is available for UCO students for credit in Woodwind Chamber Music, MPER 3731. Interested players can email jrucker2@uco.edu, for more information.
In addition, Rucker teaches clarinet, adjunct, at Oklahoma Christian University and at her home studio in Edmond.
Professional and Community Involvement
Rucker is the board president, personnel manager and principal clarinetist for the Oklahoma Community Orchestra. She has been in the orchestra, since its inception in 1984. She is also a first-call substitute for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra.
Interests
Jenny loves sports, especially, Thunder Basketball!
Office Hours
Rucker is on campus from 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays during the school term.
Teaching Philosophy
Rucker believes everyone has been created with different needs, talents, and gifts that are special for each individual. It is important to discover how each person processes information, be it tactile or through lecture, or imitation, or a combination of these and others.
Honors and Awards
Rucker was awarded a variety of scholarships and awards during her college years. Among them were CSU Woodwind Quintet, SAI Outstanding Student, CSU Concerto Competition Winner, and the Ladies Music Club Scholarship.
In her professional career, Jenny has been a semi-finalist in several Orchestral Excerpt Competitions held by the International Clarinet Association, in Atlanta, Kansas City, MO, USC-Northridge, CA, and and won second place in Vancouver, in 2007.
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