Christopher Alan Schmitz composes solo, chamber, and ensemble music that has been described as “superbly orchestrated” (Pizzicato), “sublimely gorgeous” (Fanfare) and “pensive... hard-driving... and whimsical” (American Record Guide). His compositions have been performed and recorded internationally, featuring a broad range of musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra to the USAF Airmen of Note, 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 artists such as the Cortona Trio, Svyati Duo, Terell Stafford, Amy Schwartz Moretti, and Denson Paul Pollard, among others.

Recent awards, honors, and residencies have come from the Alabama Orchestra Association, Sammy Nestico Award, American Prize in Composition, MacDowell Fellowship (2025), Ithaca College International Jazz Competition, Josephine Phelps Fabian Fund, North Dakota State University, 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 record labels, and his sheet music is published by Alias Press (an affiliate of Theodore Presser), Cherry Classics, Alfred Music, C. Alan Publications, Opus Music Publications, and Cimarron Press. 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.