R. Christopher Teichler

Composer, Conductor, Educator

BM Wheaton College 
MM Northwestern University
DM Northwestern Univerity

Testimonials 

 

"Chris brings creative musical ideas to rich texts allowing us to see the the texts in a new way... a gifted composer and a pleasure to work with, I highly recommend his work to you as music of the finest quality." -Dr. Robert Pendergraft, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor


"Scored for SATB choir, symphonic band, organ, and audience, ["The First Noel"] is a leisurely, thoughtful, colorful build-up to a final stanza sung by the audience with full band and a brilliant choral accompaniment. On the way to the climactic ending the audience is drawn to the mystery and wonder inherent in the text...A joy every time I hear it." -Prof. Chuck King, Trinity International University

 

"Over the years, I have commissioned several works from Christopher Teichler. His music is brilliantly written with beautiful, memorable melodies and interesting harmonies. He is a master of writing music that is both exciting for the performer and engaging for the audience. I can't recommend his works enough. More so, if you have the opportunity to work with him, take it. You'll rarely work with a finer musician or a kinder human being." - Christopher O'Hara, Alliance Brass, Bach/Conn-Selmer and Denis Wick Performing Artist and Clinician

Newsfeed

Easter Anthem Consortium Opportunity! 

I'm excited to be putting together a commission consortium for a new SATB and piano anthem for Easter. Day of Wonder, Day of Gladness will be a perfect opener/call to worship/processional for Resurrection Sunday. While 4-part, much of the choral writing will be 2-part and even unison, so it will be easier to learn and put together. Choirs of all sizes will be able to perform this new work successfully! 

Only $75 to join. Click here for more info and to join the consortium! Thanks! 

Midwest Clinic 2022!  

It's always a exciting to be at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic; I've been attending most years since 2001, and exhibiting with some colleagues for the past four years (minus 2020 for covid). Arthur Breur, Garrett Hope and myself make up TPC Collective, which is a hub for finding our music for band and orchestra. From there, we have links to our individual websites. 

This year was the first time I've had a piece selected for one of the reading sessions: Heroes Return for beginner bands.

Midwest always…

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R.T. Legacy Music

People have often asked me, "What is R.T. Legacy?" When I explain that it is the name of my publishing company for the performing rights organization I belong to (ASCAP), that usually leads to the following question: "Why did you choose that name?" 

My legal name is Robert Christopher Teichler. I have always gone by my middle name. My parents chose to do this because my father, also Robert Teichler, goes by his middle name. My grandfather was also Robert Teichler, and he went by....Bob. So, I am technically the third generation Robert Teichler. When my oldest son was born, my wife and I decided to continue that tradition, so my son Robert Teichler also goes by his middle name. 

Four generations of the name Robert Teichler. It's a unique family tradition, and helps keep me connected to my heritage, while reminding me that my name reflects not just on myself, but on my lineage. I want to honor that, it helps me stay grounded and mindful that I am a piece of a larger whole. 

So, R.T. Legacy simply refers to the "Robert Teichler" legacy of which I am a part. Tradition, heritage and loyalty are very important to me, and I even see this reflected in my compositions: my music is not groundbreaking or revolutionary, but clearly rooted in what has been said before me, with me adding my voice to the mix. I see (or more appropriately, hear!) my music as a part of a larger stream that started before me, and will continue long after I am gone. Like the family name.