Debra Richtmeyer
Professor of Saxophone
B.M. (music education) and M.M. (saxophone performance), Northwestern University; student and TA for Dr. Frederick Hemke, additional study with Larry Combs, former Principal Clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Debra Richtmeyer, professor of saxophone at UI since 1991, is an internationally renowned soloist and clinician in the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has performed as a concerto soloist with elite bands and orchestras, including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Slovak Radio Orchestra, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the U.S. Navy Band, Washington D.C. She has commissioned and premiered numerous compositions and performed as principal saxophonist with the Dallas Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Dallas Wind Symphony, and the UI Sinfonia da Camera. A pioneer for women concert saxophonists, Professor Richtmeyer has given master classes and performed as a featured concerto soloist at World Saxophone Congresses and North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) National and Regional Conferences. A two-time Grammy List Nominee, her solo CDs have received reviews such as “ flawless ...an extraordinary album..." by the American Record Guide, “atmospheric ... and ravishing ... first-class solo playing” by the Dallas Morning News, and “Remarkable… impeccable playing… proof one more time of her talents (including that of the conductor) and of the excellence of her teaching”, by legendary French saxophonist, Jean-Marie Londeix.
She has served as a member of the jury for state, national and international competitions, including the Adolphe Sax International Saxophone Competition, the Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition, and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Her honors and awards include the NASA “Honorary Life Member” Award, the University of Illinois Campus "Excellence in Graduate and Professional Teaching” Award and the UI College of Fine and Applied Arts “Outstanding Faculty” Award. Her students have won national and international prizes as soloists and chamber musicians and perform and teach in military bands, chamber groups, universities, and secondary schools. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Illinois, she served as a saxophone professor at the University of North Texas, saxophone instructor at Lawrence Conservatory, member of the Chicago Bears Jazz Band and backup musician for well-known entertainers including Seals and Crofts, Natalie Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Andy Gibb, Dionne Warwick, and the Temptations.
Professor Richtmeyer earned her degrees from Northwestern University where she studied saxophone with Dr. Frederick L. Hemke and clarinet with former Chicago Symphony Orchestra Principal Clarinetist, Larry Combs. She is a Selmer Artist/Clinician, Past President of the North American Saxophone Alliance, elected member of the International Saxophone Committee and a mentor for the NASA Committee on the Status of Women’s inaugural mentoring program. Her new book, “The Richtmeyer Method for Saxophone Mastery Volumes 1 and 2” is available through Presser.com and was selected as “Editor’s Choice” by J.W Pepper for their 2022 Catalog.
B.M. (music education) and M.M. (saxophone performance), Northwestern University; student and TA for Dr. Frederick Hemke, additional study with Larry Combs, former Principal Clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Debra Richtmeyer, professor of saxophone at UI since 1991, is an internationally renowned soloist and clinician in the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has performed as a concerto soloist with elite bands and orchestras, including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Slovak Radio Orchestra, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the U.S. Navy Band, Washington D.C. She has commissioned and premiered numerous compositions and performed as principal saxophonist with the Dallas Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Dallas Wind Symphony, and the UI Sinfonia da Camera. A pioneer for women concert saxophonists, Professor Richtmeyer has given master classes and performed as a featured concerto soloist at World Saxophone Congresses and North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) National and Regional Conferences. A two-time Grammy List Nominee, her solo CDs have received reviews such as “ flawless ...an extraordinary album..." by the American Record Guide, “atmospheric ... and ravishing ... first-class solo playing” by the Dallas Morning News, and “Remarkable… impeccable playing… proof one more time of her talents (including that of the conductor) and of the excellence of her teaching”, by legendary French saxophonist, Jean-Marie Londeix.
She has served as a member of the jury for state, national and international competitions, including the Adolphe Sax International Saxophone Competition, the Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition, and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Her honors and awards include the NASA “Honorary Life Member” Award, the University of Illinois Campus "Excellence in Graduate and Professional Teaching” Award and the UI College of Fine and Applied Arts “Outstanding Faculty” Award. Her students have won national and international prizes as soloists and chamber musicians and perform and teach in military bands, chamber groups, universities, and secondary schools. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Illinois, she served as a saxophone professor at the University of North Texas, saxophone instructor at Lawrence Conservatory, member of the Chicago Bears Jazz Band and backup musician for well-known entertainers including Seals and Crofts, Natalie Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Andy Gibb, Dionne Warwick, and the Temptations.
Professor Richtmeyer earned her degrees from Northwestern University where she studied saxophone with Dr. Frederick L. Hemke and clarinet with former Chicago Symphony Orchestra Principal Clarinetist, Larry Combs. She is a Selmer Artist/Clinician, Past President of the North American Saxophone Alliance, elected member of the International Saxophone Committee and a mentor for the NASA Committee on the Status of Women’s inaugural mentoring program. Her new book, “The Richtmeyer Method for Saxophone Mastery Volumes 1 and 2” is available through Presser.com and was selected as “Editor’s Choice” by J.W Pepper for their 2022 Catalog.
