Dr. Richard Fischer, Professor of Music and the Fred and Jane Wittlinger Endowed Chair for Music Performance, conducts the Wind Symphony and University Band, and teaches basic and advanced-level conducting courses.

He holds Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Michigan State University.

The Wind Symphony has performed in almost every state, Canada, Europe, China and South Africa, and has been invited to be the Showcase Ensemble for the New York City Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall in 2014 and 2019. They have recorded 16 compact discs.

Dr. Fischer is in demand as a presenter, clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Japan and Australia.

Degrees

  • DMA, Conducting - Michigan State University; East Lansing, MI
  • M.M., Music Education - DePaul University; Chicago, IL
  • BME, Education-  DePaul University; Chicago, IL 
  • Illinois, Type 10, K-12 Music Specialist Certificate 

Academic and Professional Highlights

Performances with Concordia-Chicago Wind Groups

  • Performed in 43 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces
  • Overseas tour to Germany, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, 2001
  • Overseas tour to China, 2005, 2009, 2013
  • Overseas tour to South Africa, 2017
  • Orchestra Hall/Symphony Center - Chicago, IL, Fall 1995
  • Carnegie Hall - New York City, NY
    • Performance, March 2014
    • Showcase Ensemble for the New York City Wind Band Festival, March 2019
  • College Band Directors National Association National Conference, Northwestern University - Evanston, IL, 1987
  • Illinois State Music Convention, February 2003
  • The Meyerson - Dallas, TX, 2017
  • Conducted pit orchestra for musical productions for 20+ years

Highlighted Guest Conducting Performances

  • The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest (assistant conductor), 1977-1994
  • Music Director for Ballet Le Gere's Production of the Nutcracker, 1989-2011
  • District Honor Band in Virginia, 1996
  • University of Wisconsin Summer Music Camps, 1996-2010
  • International Summer Music Camp in North Dakota (1996)
  • University of Minnesota - Morris, MN, 1996
    • HS Honor Band & University Wind Ensemble
  • University of Nebraska Honor Band, Omaha, NE, 1998
  • Alaska Honor Band, Four times during 1999-2015

Produced Compact Discs

  • "Festive Adorations" (released 9/1/93)          
  • "Sinfonia Voci" (released 8/1/95)
  • "Holsinger II" (released 9/1/95)
  • "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night" (1997)
  • “Rejouissance” (1999)
  • “What Child is This?” (2000)
  • "Expressions of Faith” (2001)
  • “Be Thou My Vision” (2003)
  • “Who Puts His Trust in God Most Just” (2005)
  • “Light of My Soul” (2007)
  • “If Thou Be Near” (2009)
  • “With Heart and Voice” (2011)
  • “Let the Amen Sound” (2013)
  • “Banners of Concord” (2015)

Awards and Honors

  • Concordia University Chicago Spiritus Christi Award, 2024 
  • Named to the "A Team" of University Professors by the Chicago Tribune, 1994
  • Named Fred and Jane Wittlinger Endowed Chair in Music Performance at Concordia-Chicago, 2013

Professional Memberships

  • College Band Directors National Association
  • World Association for Symphonic Band and Ensembles 
    • Director of Communications (1993-95)
    • Planning committee for 1995 conference in Hamamatsu, Japan
  • National Band Association 
  • National Association for Music Education 
  • Illinois Music Educators Association 

Publications:

  • Canadian Band Journal (6 page article) Fall, 1996. "Connect"

  • Canadian Band Journal (6 page article) Fall, 1994. "Musical Expression"

  • Co-contributor for a book entitled Teaching Techniques and Insights by Dr. Joseph Casey (Published by GIA)

Presentations:

  • Lutheran Education Association of Australia, September 2013

  • Lutheran Summer Music, July 2013

  • Music Education Presentation in Hilton, South Africa, August 2012

  • Lutheran Education Association Conferences, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2011 and Milwaukee, Wis., 2013

  • Indiana Lutheran Schools, 2007  

  • WELS Convention, 2006

  • Private High Schools Conference, Grand Rapids, Mich., 2006

  • Calgary Teachers Convention, 1998 (also, clinician) MusicFest, Halifax, Edmonton, Toronto, Canada

  • Atlanta International Band & Orchestra Clinic, Atlanta, Ga., April 1996

  • Illinois Music Educators Association, Peoria, Ill., January 1993