Bio for Richard J. Chandler

Richard J. Chandler studied music at St. Johns University and the College of St. Benedict, receiving his BA in music from St. Cloud State University, with graduate music composition studies at the University of Minnesota.

His works have been performed by the Bethlehem Chamber Orchestra, the St. Cloud State University Wind Ensemble, at the College of St. Benedict and St. Johns University, and a national conference, as well as in recitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul, St. Cloud and in Greater Minnesota.  His Sacred Geometry for Chamber Orchestra was premiered on January 12th and 13th 2018 in Minneapolis, MN by the Minnesota Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra.

As a composer, Richard Chandler’s works have been performed by the Minnesota Sinfonia, the Bethlehem Chamber Orchestra, the St. Cloud State University Wind Ensemble, in faculty recitals at St. Cloud State University and The College of St. Benedict and St. Johns University, as well as in recitals in Minneapolis, St. Cloud and in Greater Minnesota. He began his music performance degree at St. Johns University and the College of St. Benedict and completed his BA music degree at St. Cloud State University. As a performer, Richard has appeared with the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra on contrabassoon, bassoon, and alto saxophone and with the Bethlehem Chamber Orchestra and Amadeus Chamber Symphony on bassoon. He currently performs with the CloudWinds Woodwind Trio on bassoon, saxophones, and recorders. He studied saxophone with Ruben Haugen, Jerry D. Luedders, and Richard Dirlam. Chandler studied composition with Jerome Collier and Brian Campbell at St. Johns University and the College of St. Benedict and Dr. Alex Lubet, Music Composition Professor at The University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Chandler’s compositions range from wind ensemble to solo piano, chamber orchestra works to saxophone duets. They include:

WORKS

Sacred Geometry for Chamber Orchestra, was premiered on January 12th in St. Paul, MN and on January 13th, 2018 in Minneapolis, MN by the Minnesota Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra.

5 Evening Pieces for Piano, which has been performed numerous times in college faculty recitals, private recitals and in a central MN regional recital program.

Sleep Now for Voice has been performed in faculty recitals at St. Cloud State University and St. Johns University

DaVinci Transcending Time Duets have been performed on saxophones, clarinets and bassoons in many private recitals and at the American Composers Forum’s Composers Night Out event held in Sartell, MN. These duets comprise some of the thematic material for a larger work based on the writings of Leonardo DaVinci.

DaVinci Transcending Time for Wind Ensemble consists of 5 movements based on DaVinci quotations and the duets shown above.  2 of the 5 were premiered by the St. Cloud State University Wind Ensemble in 2011.

Dedication Fanfare for Brass Choir and Percussion

The work was inspired by the architecture of the building, featuring copper and metal sculpture as prominent materials. The piece reflected the feel and sound of metal with 9 brass instruments, timpani, and tam-tam. It was composed and performed to commemorate the new Saint Cloud Public Library at its dedication ceremony on September 20th, 2008 and played to end the ceremony as library patrons entered their new library building. Many hundreds of people heard the work.

3 Evening Pieces for Chamber Orchestra comprised of the movements: Evening Begins, Waves of Lake Superior and Prayer-Like. While constructed upon the ideas in 5 Evening Pieces for Piano, increased harmony, counterpoint, and orchestral color are featured. This was premiered in December of 2016 by the Bethlehem Chamber Orchestra of St. Cloud, MN

AWARDS

Chandler is a recipient of a 2017 Individual Artist Grant from the Central Minnesota Regional Arts Board, funded by The McKnight Foundation. He is also a 2017 recipient of a granting award by The McKnight Foundation in cooperation with the Minnesota Sinfonia for his new work, Sacred Geometry for Chamber Orchestra, premiered on January 12th and 13th 2018 by the Minnesota Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra.