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The American conductor and music pedagogue, Richard R. Fischer, received Bachelor of Music education and Master of Music degrees from DePaul University and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University. He also has studied at Cornell College and the University of Northern Colorado.
Dr. Richard Fischer, Distinguished Professor of Music, is in his 37th year as director of bands at Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinoisl. At Concordia, he conducts the Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony and University Band. His courses focus on basic and advanced conducting and introduction to music education. Heavily involved in the University, Fischer supervises student teachers, assists in recruitment of new students and helps current students on their musical conducting projects. Working with different levels of wind ensembles and bands, Fischer helps them improve their work and inspires them towards the art of musical expression.
Since Richard Fischer’s arrival in 1974, the CUC Wind Symphony has played concerts and church services in 43 states and Canada. In the fall of 1995, the ensemble was invited to perform two concerts at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. In May 2001, the CUC Wind Symphony toured Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. During May 2005 and again in May 2009, the ensemble toured China. It performed at the 24th National Conference of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the 2003 Illinois Music Educators Conference and has recorded 12 internationally sold compact discs of sacred wind music. The CUC Wind Symphony has commissioned and premiered numerous major wind compositions.
Richard Fischer is in demand internationally as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator. He was named to the “A Team” of University Professors by the Chicago Tribune in 1994. He has held positions with numerous professional organizations, including service as the communications director for the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) in preparation for the 1995 conference in Hamamatsu, Japan. Since 1989, Fischer has served as music director for Ballet LeGere’s production of the Nutcracker Ballet. For 17 years, he served as the assistant conductor of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest.
Fischer’s professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Music Educators National Conference, Illinois Music Educators Association and the National Band Association. He and his wife Kathy (Kolb ’77) Fischer reside in River Forest. Their children are Joy, Julie and Jonathan. |
