Concordia University Chicago
This is Richard Fischer's 33rd year of music making at Concordia University Chicago. Dr. Fischer has had the chance to work with countless numbers of students in the process of developing their talents to become expressive and inspiring performers, music teachers and future conductors. As Director of Bands and Professor of Music, he continually has opportunities to enrich the lives of college students, ensembles of all levels he guest conducts, and audiences across the United States and Canada.
Fischer earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in music education at DePaul University and a doctorate of musical arts in Wind Conducting studying with Eugene Migliaro Corporan at Michigan State University. His other mentors include Alan McMurray, Craig Kirchoff, and H. Robert Reynolds.
In addition to his work at Concordia, Dr. Fischer is in constant demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout North America. In 1994 the Chicago Tribune named him to the "A" Team of University Professors. He maintains active involvement in numerous professional organizations including WASBE, BASBWE, MENC, NBA, CBDNA, CIDA and IMEA.
Fischer seeks to connect people of diverse backgrounds through music. He aspires to engage all who are involved - the teacher, the performers and the audience - in the understanding that music is one of life's greatest vehicles as an expression of human emotion.