My first teaching job was as a percussion instructor at TRIAD Music Store in Milwaukee, WI. My father, Edward, Sr., was a drummer and teacher of drum set. In 1970, his health problems forced him into retirement from teaching and opened the door to begin my teaching career. During my undergraduate training, I taught bassoon in the prep program at Lawrence University (WI), 1971-1975. I continued my formal bassoon study at the University of Denver, where I was a Graduate Teaching Assistant in music theory for two years while completing the Master of Arts in Music Performance. This experience changed the direction of my music career that continues today--college-level teaching.

I was an Assistant Band Director at Northwestern State University (LA) teaching bassoon, percussion, and courses in ear-training/sight-singing. In 1978, I replaced my bassoon and music education mentor, Fred G. Schroeder, upon his retirement from

Lawrence University, teaching bassoon and woodwind methods for three years and freshman music theory for one year. In 1980-81, Rath was the Director of Band at Ripon (WI) College.

In 1981, I was appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma. My duties included teaching courses in Music Appreciation, Music Theory, Bassoon Techniques for Music Education majors, and Coordinator of Woodwind Chamber Music. In 1986, one of my chamber ensembles competed in the semi-final round of the Coleman Chamber Music Competition (CA). I have taught courses relating to bassoon and woodwind chamber music, and developed courses in popular music culture for the Honors Program/College during my tenure at OU. From 2001 - 2005, I served as Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies in the School of Music. I have received the School of Music Peer Recognition Award (2005-06), Outstanding School of Music faculty award in the College of Fine Arts (2002-03), and the Associates Distinguished Lecturer (1987-88).

I taught and performed at the 2003 Buenos Aires Music Festival (above) and have been teaching bassoon and coaching chamber music at the Red Lodge (MT) Music Festival since 1980. Clinics on teaching have been presented at OMEA (OK), MMEA (MT), and TMEA (TX) and bassoon masterclasses in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, Montana, Kansas, Idaho, Texas, and Hungary.

My current projects include books on musicianship and music warm-up procedures, as well as editing the new edition of Johny Barbata: The Legendary Life of a Rock Star Drummer.