Louis-Joseph Marchand (1 January 1692, Troyes — 20 November 1774) was a French music theorist, composer, choir director, and priest.
[1] Born in Troyes, Louis-Joseph Marchand studied singing in Bourges and Auxerre.
He left the latter post in August 1735 to head the maîtrise (a term used in France to refer collectively to a position of responsibility over the choristers, their living quarters, and other associated responsibilities) at the Collegiate Church of St Maxe at Bar-le-Duc; a position he held until his retirement 32 years later.
[1] Marchand authored the first work on counterpoint published in France in the 18th century: Traité du contrepoint simple, ou Chant sur le livre (published 1739 by Richard Briflot in Bar-le-Duc).
The work heavily influenced composer and theorist Henry Madin who in turn published Traité de contrepoint simple (Paris, 1742) after being inspired by Marchand.