Christopher Schmitz
Christopher Alan Schmitz composes solo, chamber, and ensemble music that is “sublimely gorgeous” (Fanfare) and “pensive…hard-driving…and whimsical” (American Record Guide). His compositions have been performed and recorded internationally by the London Symphony Orchestra, the USAF Airmen of Note, and many others, in venues ranging from New York City (Carnegie Hall) to Alaska (Denali National Park) to London (St. Luke’s Church). Christopher’s educational music has appeared in concert programs at all levels of development and his recent solo and chamber works have been performed by the Cortona Trio, Svyati Duo, Terell Stafford, Amy Schwartz Moretti, and Denson Paul Pollard, among others.
Awards and honors have come from the American Prize in Composition, Alabama Orchestra Association, Sammy Nestico Award, Ithaca College International Jazz Competition, J. Samuel Pilafian Composition Award, and the Music Teacher’s National Association. Commercial recordings of Christopher’s music appear on the Navona, Ravello, and Beauport Classical labels, and his sheet music is published by Cherry Classics, C. Alan Publications, Opus Music Publications, and Cimarron Press, with forthcoming publications by Alfred Music and Alias Press (an affiliate of the Theodore Presser Company).
Christopher holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin, and he is currently Professor of Music Theory and Composition at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
