Dick Burns was a soprano soloist with the Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights during their championship years. He finished in the top 3 Soprano Individuals at the VFW Nationals 4 years in a row. When he aged out, he became an arranger/instructor for BS and progressed to instruct and arrange for many junior and senior corps. He has been the Bugle, Brass, GE caption chief for the All American and All States judging associations.

Dick was also the Brass Caption Chair for the American Legion Congress.