Dr. Richard Robert Rossi, Conductor, Pianist, Organist, Countertenor, & Composer Richard is Director of Orchestral and Choral Activities at Eastern Illinois University where he directs the Eastern Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Symphony Chamber Orchestra, University Mixed chorus, Concert Choir, Oratorio Society and teaches both graduate and advanced undergraduate conducting and organ. Other courses include: undergraduate conducting, choral arranging, class voice and studio voice as needed. In the Fall of 2006 Richard established and continues to direct both the Sinfonia and the Camerata Singers as part of the Collegium Musicum (Early Music Ensembles) at EIU. Richard holds a DMA in Conducting from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, an MFA in both orchestral and choral conducting from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, a BM in music education with a concentration in piano and organ from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, and a Master of Divinity from Saint Vincent Seminary. Over the years, Richard has studied with many renowned maestros including (in alphabetical order): Vance George, Juan Pablo Izquierdo, Dennis Keane, Don Moses, Robert Page, Donald Schleicher, Fred Stoltzfus, and Sandra Willetts. Richard has conducted many choirs, orchestras, operas and musical theater productions in his career both locally and nationally. Serving as the chorus master for several seasons with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra & Chorus in Springfield, Illinois, Rossi conducted such works as Fantasia on Christmas Carols by R. V. Williams, Fauré, Mozart and Duruflé Requiem’s as well as others. Opera performances include Dialogue of the Carmelites and Die Fledermaus while he resided in the Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to his extensive conducting schedule, Richard continues to perform recitals as a concert pianist, accompanist, organist and clinician. In addition to his conducting, composing, teaching, singing and playing career, Richard is the organist at First Presbyterian Church in Champaign since 1998.