Richard Humphrey:  

MUSIC BIO -- ~ Richard has been singing publicly since the age of 5 and professionally, since the age of 17. While a student at Vidalia High School, he participated in the GA state competition in boy's vocal solo for the last three years of high school, winning the competition in 1971 and 1972. In 1971 and 1972, he also auditioned and was selected to participate in the Georgia All-State Chorus. Also in 1972, he was the first vocal soloist ever elected to the American High School Soloist's Hall of Fame. Richard began performing with the Brewton-Parker College Choral Society in 1968 and continued with the organization through the spring of 1974, including solo performances in Handel's "Messiah", DuBois' "Seven Last Words of Christ", and a command performance for King Hussein of Jordan, in December, 1972. While at BPC, Richard was also a member of The Other Folk, a folk trio he helped form with the late Hank Devore and Tilla Raines. The Other Folk performed at youth rallies, revival meetings, and church services throughout the state of Georgia, from 1972-1974. Beginning in the summer of 1974, he traveled the U.S. and Canada for two years with the Agape' Players, including performances in the roles of Frank in the musical "I Wonder" and Abraham Lincoln in "Sights and Sounds of America", in celebration of the United States Bicentennial, during 1976. In 1977-1978 he studied music at Georgia College in Milledgeville, taking classes in vocal pedagogy under the tutelage of Laura Hillman. While at Georgia College, he also helped to start a barbershop quartet, and participated in numerous musical productions, at the college and in several local churches. In 1979, he became a sanctuary soloist at Douglass Boulevard Christian Church in Louisville, KY, where he also served for 7 years as the bass section leader of the adult choir. During this time, he also sang with the Kentucky Opera Association, including a performance with Edda Moser, in her operatic debut as Fidelio. In 1986 he moved to Cincinnati, singing two seasons with the Byzantine Singers, including two performances as back-up vocalist with Andy Williams, in his Christmas Show. During his stay in the Cincinnati area, he was also a member and frequent soloist with the Mother of God Church Folk Ensemble, in Covington, KY. He still returns to Northern Kentucky regularly to sing with this gifted group, led by composer Cindy Duesing. Since moving to Indianapolis, he has been a soloist and liturgical musician at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, where he also leads music for monthly Dignity liturgies. Richard has sung with the Indianapolis Men's Chorus, off and on, since 2003. In February 2012, Richard was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall, with composer Greg Gilpin, in his Carnegie Hall debut. He holds an MLS degree from the University of Kentucky, a BA in English Literature from Georgia Southwestern State University, and an Associate degree in music from Brewton-Parker College. By day, Richard is Research & Instructional Services Librarian at the Ruth Lilly Law Library, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. Richard dedicates every performance to his husband of 35 years, Dr. Jim Rohrer, and to the memory of his parents, Leigh and Agnes Humphrey, without whose love, support, and encouragement, his musical talents would never have been realized and developed. WORK BIO -- ~ Richard served as Research & Instructi...Expand for more