Composer b. Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA 1960

Richard writes primarily for a cappella choir, having written over 40 compositions, most of them commissioned works. His music has been performed by choirs throughout the United States and Europe, including world premieres in Salzburg, Austria. Creator alme siderum (for S.A.T.B. divisi voices) and O Magnum Mysterium (for S.S.A.T.B.B. voices) were premiered in 2001 in Maria Hilfekirche and the Dome Cathedral. Missa Brevis (Salzburg Mass – for S.A.T.B. voices and S.S.A.T.B. Gloria) was also performed in those churches in 2002 after its premier in the Wallfahrtskirche Maria Plain. In 2008 Be Not Afraid (for S.A.T.B. voices) was premiered in the Dome Cathedral and also performed at the Franziskanerkirche.

Richard was named the Kentucky Music Teachers Association 2008 Commissioned Composer. At the 2008 KMTA state conference Lord God of this Great Night (for S.S.A.T.T.B. voices) and Kyrie from In Memoriam (for S.S.A.T.B. voices with organ and strings) received their world premier by The Louisville Youth Performing Arts School Concert Choir, S. Timothy Glasscock, Director.

A Song of Eternal Love (for S.S.A.T.T.B. voices) was commissioned by the Youth Performing Arts School Choir’s 2009 Spain/Portugal Tour. The composition was premiered in the Chamber Music Hall of the Oficina Municipal de Congresos of Oviedo in Spain by the combined YPAS Choir and the Youth Choir of the Prince of Asturias Foundation. Other performances of the piece took place in the Cathedral of Leon, Iglesia San Juan de los Caballeros in Segovia and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostella and the Estrela Basilica in Libson, Portugal.

Composer – in – Residencies:
2009 – 2010 Voces Noave, Louisville, KY
1998 – 1999 St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Louisville, KY
1999 – 2001The Cathedral of the Assumption, Louisville KY
1999 The Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Fraternity Conclave, Nashville, Tennessee

In addition to choral music, Burchard composes experimental and ambient electronic music. He has collaborated with Art!Art! Barking Dog Dance Company, Moyamo Dance, and the YPAS Modern Dance department. Richard is Associate Professor of Music and Music Department Chair at Bellarmine University where he teaches Composition and Arranging, Music Technology, Music Theory and World Music. He also teaches in the KIIS Program (Kentucky Institute for International Studies) in Salzburg, Austria. He attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and received both a BM and MM degree from the University of Louisville.