Colleen Richardson

Associate Professor
Director - Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band
Coordinator of Bands
Office: TC 112
Phone: (519) 661-2111 x86873
Email: cricha33@uwo.ca


Dr. Colleen Richardson is Coordinator of Bands at Western University and Past President of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. Under her direction, the Western University Wind Ensemble has produced two CDs, Apparitions and Explorations; both recordings are available through Apple Music, Amazon and Spotify. In 2018, Richardson was awarded the Canadian Band Association’s “International Band Award” for her contribution to the international band movement. From 2022-2024, she was the President of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the Chairperson of WASBE’s Artistic Planning Committee for their 2024 conference in Gwangju, South Korea.

Besides being active as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor across Canada, Richardson has served as a judge for the World Music Contest (Kerkrade, The Netherlands, 2024), the New York International Music Festival (Carnegie Hall, 2023), and the Singapore International Band Festival (2024). She has guest conducted or presented her research in Brazil, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Wales, and the US. In 2018, she presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and her publications include nine study guides for the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series, as well as articles for the Canadian Winds, and the Canadian Music Educator Journal. In 2012, Richardson produced and edited the Hunsberger DVD within GIA’s DVD set entitled Three Icons: Frank Battisti, Donald Hunsberger, and H. Robert Reynolds.

A native of Winnipeg, Richardson graduated from Brandon University (BMus Ed), the University of Calgary (Wind Conducting Diploma, MMus Conducting), and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (DMA Wind Conducting). While in Cincinnati completing her doctorate, she co-directed the Tri-State Chamber Players, as well as served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble. In 2005, Richardson became Assistant Professor of Music Education and the Wind Ensemble Director at Converse College in South Carolina. She joined the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University in 2006. The Western Young Winds Program was established by Richardson and Dr. Kevin Watson in 2013 as enrichment for the local grade 6-9 band students. They co-supervise the undergraduate music education students selected to teach and conduct the group.

Recordings:

Explorations CD

Explorations: Recorded over three academic years, the latest recordings released by the Western University Wind Ensemble was produced by Mark Records. Available on AmazonApple Music, and Spotify.

apparitions cd

Apparitions by the Western University Wind Ensemble is on Albany Records & available at AmazonApple Music and Spotify.