Biography
Dr. Christopher Chapman is the director of bands at Oregon State University where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds. Chapman guides all aspects of the band program, and coordinates the wind band conducting area. Under his direction, the OSU bands have gained notoriety and praise from composers and audiences alike. The OSU Wind Ensemble has toured extensively and has been featured in performance sites from Carnegie Hall in New York to concert halls on the U.S. West Coast and Japan. The ensemble’s recent commercial recording, “The Five Changes,” was produced by Mark Records.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Chapman holds degrees in music from The Ohio State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Washington. He has appeared as a conductor, clinician and lecturer throughout the United States. He is also a contributing author to “A Composer's Insight: Thoughts, Analysis and Commentary on Contemporary Masterpieces for Wind Band,” a series of books on contemporary wind band composers for Meredith Music Publications, a subsidiary of the Hal Leonard Corporation and Teaching Music through Performance by GIA Publications. Chapman’s wind band compositions and arrangements are receiving performances across the United States.
Dr. Chapman is currently the past-president of Northwest division of the College Band Directors National Association and state representative of the National Band Association. He is an honorary member of the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity where he has served as the co-governor of the Western district, and he is an honorary member of the Tau Beta Sigma honorary band sorority. He is also a member of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Oregon Band Directors Association, National Association for Music Educators, and Oregon Music Educators Association. Additionally, Chapman serves as the music director of the Oregon Brass Society, a British-style brass band in Springfield, Oregon.