Professor
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
M.M., University of Kentucky
B.M., DePauw University
Contact Information
Office: Foster 202
Mailing Address: Foster 101
Email: rich.byrd@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-1348
Website: richbyrdmusic.com
Expert Areas: Music Theory/Composition
Bio
Dr. Richard Byrd is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). His music is widely published by Eighth Note Publications, a reputable publishing company of original brass compositions and brass arrangements exclusively distributed by Alfred Publishing, a world leader in music education. Various organizations have commissioned Dr. Byrd to compose or arrange music specifically for their group or special event including the Kentucky Music Teachers Association, Great American Brass Band Festival, Commonwealth Clarinet Quartet, Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts, Eastern Kentucky University Faculty Brass Quintet, Eastern Kentucky University Trombone Society, Eastern Kentucky University Clarinet Choir, Eastern Kentucky University College of Science, and several school band programs.
Byrd’s works have been performed at several international, national, and regional events including the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan; National Trumpet Competition in Arlington, Virginia; Exploring Trumpet Music Festival in Kalavrita, Greece; 6th Annual DIA T Trombone Festival in Recife, Brazil; South Texas Trumpet Workshop in Kingsville, Texas; Eastern Trombone Workshop in Fort Meyer, Virginia; International Clarinet Association Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska; National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors National Conference in Gainesville, Florida; Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky; Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts in Lexington, Kentucky; Kentucky Composers Invitation Concert & New Music Festival in Lexington, Kentucky; Society of Composers, Inc. Region IV Conference in Richmond, Kentucky; Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, Kentucky; and numerous collegiate chamber music programs across the county.
As a trumpet performer, Byrd’s classical experiences include performing with the Indianapolis Symphony, West Virginia, and Lexington Philharmonic Orchestras. During his tenure with the Lexington Brass Band he was a featured soloist during the band’s England tour in 2000. Byrd has performed with several prominent jazz artists including Doc Severinsen, Allen Vizzutti, Maynard Ferguson, Jens Lindemann, Byron Stripling, Louie Bellson, Bob Mintzer, Wycliffe Gordon, Victor Wooten, Take 6, and the Manhattan Transfer, and in shows with Aretha Franklin, Robert Goulet, Rosemary Clooney, Lou Rawls, Carol Channing, Cathy Rigby, Temptations, Mannheim Steamroller, and the Ringling Brothers Circus. His lead trumpet abilities with the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra are showcased on their CDs entitled Quotient and Off the Charts, with Wycliffe Gordon’s Grammy-nominated CD Somebody New, and with The Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra on their CD entitled Flying Home. Byrd has also recorded his own solo CD entitled Portrait of a Trumpet, and has recorded and produced a chamber music CD entitled Conversations, which includes one of his compositions, Conversations, as well as compositions from other rising American composers.
Dr. Byrd is Professor of Theory and Composition at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky and trumpeter/composer-in-residence with the EKU Faculty Brass Quintet. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance at DePauw University, Byrd earned his Master and Ph.D. degrees in music theory from the University of Kentucky. Byrd has also taught at the Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts for over 30 years.
An extensive list of Byrd’s compositions is available for purchase on the Eighth Note Publications website. Just search for Richard Byrd.