Role

:

Conductor  

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Debra Richtmeyer is a renowned classical saxophonist, educator, and administrator. She was born on August 22, 1958, in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a singer. Debra started playing the saxophone at the age of ten and quickly developed a passion for the instrument. Debra attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1980. She then went on to pursue a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance at Indiana University, where she studied with Eugene Rousseau. After completing her master's degree in 1982, Debra continued her studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance in 1986. Throughout her career, Debra has been an active performer, educator, and administrator. She has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Some of her most notable performances include appearances at the World Saxophone Congress, the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, and the International Saxophone Symposium. In addition to her performing career, Debra has also been a dedicated educator. She has held teaching positions at several universities, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of South Carolina. She is currently the Professor of Saxophone and Director of the School of Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Debra has also been an active administrator in the field of music education. She has served as the President of the North American Saxophone Alliance and the International Saxophone Committee. She is currently the President-Elect of the College Music Society. Throughout her career, Debra has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of music. In 1995, she was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 2002, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the North American Saxophone Alliance. In 2010, she was awarded the Outstanding Studio Teacher Award from the Illinois Music Educators Association. Debra has also been recognized for her contributions to the saxophone repertoire. She has commissioned and premiered numerous works for saxophone, including pieces by David Maslanka, Libby Larsen, and John Mackey. She has also edited and published several saxophone works, including the "Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble" by David Maslanka. In addition to her performing, teaching, and administrative work, Debra is also a dedicated advocate for the saxophone. She has written numerous articles and book chapters on the history and pedagogy of the saxophone. She has also served as a consultant for several music publishers and has been a guest lecturer at universities and conferences around the world. In conclusion, Debra Richtmeyer is a highly respected and accomplished classical saxophonist, educator, and administrator. Her contributions to the field of music have been recognized through numerous awards and honors, and her dedication to the saxophone has helped to elevate the instrument to new heights. Her legacy will continue to inspire and influence generations of musicians to come.

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