After nearly 52 years of inspiring generations of musicians, Dr. Richard Fischer, affectionately known to students as “Doc,” is retiring from Concordia University Chicago at the end of the fall term. Fischer, distinguished 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.
Fischer initially joined Concordia-Chicago, then called Concordia Teachers College, in 1974 in an interim capacity after the prior band director accepted a role at another university. He had only his bachelor’s degree at the time and no expectations of being asked to stay in the role permanently—but God had other plans.
“I believed God worked through [the hiring committee] and has blessed me so much in this life,” Fischer told the audience at his final Wind Symphony concert on Nov. 1. “I cannot thank Concordia University Chicago enough for believing in me before I believed in myself.”
Fischer transformed CUC’s Wind Symphony into an internationally recognized ensemble, performing at Carnegie Hall and across the globe. His final tour culminated in a home concert full of students, alumni, fellow faculty and staff, and other community members who came together to celebrate a career rooted in faith.
“What I’ll always share in the years to come about a Rich Fischer concert is love,” University President Dr. Russell Dawn said. “He always emphasizes love; love for the music, of course, love for the students, but also love for the audience. And that fits, because music is a gift from God because God loves us.”
Continuing the tradition of sharing God’s love with audiences, Fischer’s final concert concluded with a performance of one of the ensemble’s most-beloved pieces, an arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s chorale, “Who Puts His Trust in God Most Just.” Wind Symphony alumni joined current members at the front of the chapel for the hymn, before leading everyone in The Doxology as Fischer and students exited.
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