Dr. Richard Fischer imparts knowledge from a 51-year career to Concordia Nebraska music students

Concordia University Chicago Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Music Dr. Richard R. Fischer recently spent two days on Concordia University, Nebraska’s campus working with the university’s music ensembles and music education students.  

An experienced educator and accomplished musician, Fischer has more than 50 years of experience in music education and wind ensemble conducting. He has been on 108 concert tours to almost every U.S. state, Europe, South Africa and China. Under his direction, the Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony was invited to play at Carnegie Hall twice, and the ensemble was the first to record 180 sacred wind band pieces in 16 albums. In 1994, Fischer was named to the “A Team of University Professors” by the Chicago Tribune and is Concordia Chicago’s first and only Fred and Jane Wittlinger Endowed Chair in Music Performance. 

In May, Fischer will be conferred Concordia University, Nebraska’s Doctor of Letters degree, which is given to those who have distinguished themselves through creative contributions to their field.  

While on the Concordia Nebraska campus, Fischer worked with select conducting classes, the University Band, the University Wind Symphony and the University Orchestra and spoke to the University A Cappella Choir. He also gave a presentation that covered topics such as personal musical philosophy, how to program a concert, personal and musical growth and vulnerability.  

 When asked about his goals for this visit to the Concordia Nebraska campus, Fischer said he simply desires to leave a lasting impact on students while helping to develop their abilities. 

“I want to change lives, and I want to change lives of the lives they change,” he said. “I’m here to enhance what they’re already learning in hopes that they will be more vibrant, inspirationally motivated and effective teachers for the right reasons – more for the intrinsic values than the extrinsic values of music.” 

“I’m here to enhance what they’re already learning in hopes that they will be more vibrant, inspirationally motivated and effective teachers for the right reasons – more for the intrinsic values than the extrinsic values of music.”

Fischer said one of his philosophies in education is to “teach, motivate and inspire to a lifelong connection with music and the arts.” He said he aims to give students a personal perspective based on real-world experience and to share things that he’s learned from teachers over the years.  

While Fischer has officially retired from Concordia Chicago, he will continue to conduct the community band that meets on the university’s River Forest campus and is open to students. He will also continue to teach a small French horn studio on campus.  

No longer a full-time professor, Fischer is working to finish his book, titled “Connecting the Head and the Heart: The Things that Really Matter in the Making of Music,” which is expected to be published later this year. The book aims to capture the essence of what is most important in musicmaking, he said.  

“I am of the opinion that it all has to do with what state of being you put your audience in,” he explained. “We want to put our audience into a feelingful state so that they absorb the music. If you put them in a left-brain state, they’re going to hear every mistake. If you put them in a right brain state, they hardly notice the mistakes because their hearts are so engaged.” 

Reflecting on his career, Fischer recalled many memorable moments, but points out international tours to South Africa and China, as well as serving as an adjudicator for the Canadian National Music Festivals as highlights. He said one of his proudest contributions to the industry is his recordings of sacred wind band music.  

“That contribution to the recording industry has put us on the map. No one has ever done that many before,” he said.  “I give God the full glory and credit for pulling me out of a terrible childhood and giving me the gift of music that transformed my life. And now, I get to transform the lives of others.”  

Fischer’s visit to Concordia Nebraska was made possible by a grant from the university’s Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund. The fund was developed as part of ConcordiaNebraska’s SALT and LIGHT strategic plan to encourage and celebrate faculty and student scholarship, with a particular focus on how different disciplines intersect with the Christian faith. Learn more about the fund here. 

The music department at Concordia University, Nebraska provides students with a top-tier, Christ-centered education that prepares them to serve the church and world with their music. Learn more about Concordia’s musical ensembles and lesson opportunities here.