Richard Williams 1958–2001
Richard
Scott Williams, teacher, composer, father, and friend, passed away on August
22, 2001 at the age of 42. He was born in Cayahoga Falls, Ohio, and began
a life-long love of music there with studies in piano, saxophone and flute.
After receiving his Bachelor of Music degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory
of Music, and a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas
in jazz studies, he began a career as a middle school music educator in
Texas. During his tenure as associate band director at Duncanville’s
Byrd Middle School, his bands received consistent superior ratings, numerous
festival awards, and advanced to the Texas Honor Band finals three times.
Together with Jeff King he co-authored the best-selling warm-up and technique
textbook Foundations for Superior Performance, the Foundations Fingering
and Trill Charts, and the Complete Instrument Reference Guide for
Band Directors. Richard’s extensive performance experience included
being a featured saxophone soloist with the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Dallas
Saxophone Quartet, the Texas Wind Symphony, and the New Philharmonic Orchestra
of Irving, Texas. Most recently he devoted his creative time and attention
to Christian music, and produced and performed on the CD Wonderful Words
of Life.