Chester Biscardi (b. Kenosha, Wisconsin, October 19, 1948; nicknamed Chet) is an Italian American composer and educator.
He received a B.A. degree in English literature from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1970); he studied during 1969-1970 at the University of Bologna and the Conservatorio di Musica "G. B. Martini"; he received an M.A. in Italian literature from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1972); he received an M.M. in composition from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1974); he received a M.M.A. in composition from Yale University (1976); and he received a D.M.A. in composition from Yale University (1980).
His composition instructors have included Les Thimmig, Mario Davidovsky, Robert Morris, Yehudi Wyner, Krzysztof Penderecki and Tōru Takemitsu.
He has been a member of the faculty of Sarah Lawrence College since 1977. He is openly gay.
Biscardi's music has been released on the Albany, American Modern Recordings, Bridge, CRI (New World Records), Furious Artisans, Intim Musik (Sweden), Naxos, New Albion, New Ariel, North/South Recordings, Perfect Enemy Records, and Sept Jardins (Canada) labels.