Bio

Christopher M. Nelson (b. 1987) is an educator, conductor, composer, and arranger. Currently, he serves as an Associate Instructor in the Band Department at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he is pursuing a Doctorate in Wind Band Conducting. Before his doctoral studies, Chris served as a Director of Bands in the Salem-Keizer and Alpine school districts in Oregon and Utah, respectively. Chris holds a Master of Arts in Music Performance with an emphasis in Conducting from Washington State University, and a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education from Brigham Young University.

As an educator, Chris’s ensembles have been consistently recognized for their high-quality performances. His bands have been invited to state festivals and contests in both Oregon and Utah, earning superior ratings and state placements with his concert, jazz, and percussion ensembles. His marching ensembles have been similarly recognized with state classification championships and numerous caption awards. He has presented at the Utah and Oregon Music Educator’s Association Conferences, and has been awarded the Citation of Excellence from the Utah Chapter of the National Band Association. Chris is sought after as a concert and marching adjudicator, clinician, and arranger throughout the Western United States.

​A native of Oregon, Chris has works for band published by C. Alan Publications. Pieces written by him have been performed by the Musashino Academy of Music Wind Ensemble, the Indiana University Wind Ensemble, and Michigan State University Wind Symphony, among others. His music has been performed throughout the world, including the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, the Opera City Concert Hall in Tokyo, Japan, and at Carnegie Hall. He is a regular attendee at international conferences and conventions, such as the Midwest Clinic, and the University of Texas Art of Wind Band Conducting Symposium. Chris lives with his beautiful wife Jessica, and their three children, Lauren, William, and Michael.