About us

Dr. Richard Zielinski

For the past fifteen years, Richard Zielinski has served as Music and Artistic Director of the Norman Philharmonic. In 2011, he partnered with area business leaders to establish the ensemble, which has since become a vital part of the community’s cultural life. A versatile conductor, Zielinski has led orchestras, choruses, and stage productions across Europe, Asia, and North America. He has taught at the University of Oklahoma as well as four other universities, and has held music directorships at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church and numerous other congregations.

A passionate advocate for new music, Zielinski regularly programs contemporary works with the Norman Philharmonic, collaborating with composers such as Libby Larsen, Norman Dello Joio, Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, John Mackey, Rosephanye Powell, James Oliverio, Patty Drennen, Jerry Neal Smith, and Michael Daugherty. He has conducted extensively both in the United States and abroad, including engagements with The Florida Orchestra, Tampa Bay Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Elgin Symphony, Danville Symphony Orchestra, Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra in Poland, Acappella Istro Politana Chamber Orchestra in Slovakia, and the Classical Music Festival in Austria, among others.

Additionally, Zielinski founded the Zielinski Singers in 2005. This professional vocal ensemble tours throughout the United States and abroad—particularly in Poland—championing American composers. Their acclaimed American Voices recording series features works by Norman Dello Joio, Libby Larsen, Stephen Paulus, Eleanor Daley, David Del Tredici, Alice Parker, Eric Whitacre, and many others.

Zielinski also serves as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the 50th Classical Music Festival and Orchestra at the Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. His artistic achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Great Joseph Haydn Gold Medal for his musical and artistic contributions in Austria, the honorary badge “Meritorious for Polish Culture” from Poland’s Minister of Culture and National Heritage for more than three decades of work in that country, and the Businessperson in the Arts Award from the Norman Arts Council and Chamber of Commerce Business Committee (2013 & 2017).