Rick Falato is the leader of the Yorkville Big Band, which he founded in 1993 after his retirement from teaching. He was a junior high school music teacher for 38 years, teaching at Dempster Junior High School in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. The band includes adults as well as youth and high school students. Since 1994, the Yorkville Big Band has played free of charge at the annual Yorkville Memorial Day Service and at the annual Fourth of July fireworks. In addition to leading the band, Falato shares his musical talents as a volunteer by teaching the recorder to physically and mentally handicapped teens and adults.

Mayor Valerie Burd praises his work, saying "Mr. Falato works and volunteers on behalf of the entire community, both young and old. For more than a decade, [he] has worked tirelessly to expand musical opportunities in our community."