Christopher Kirkpatrick

Christopher Kirkpatrick is Professor of Clarinet at the University of Montana where he teaches clarinet, music history and body mapping. He has performed and taught throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. Currently principal clarinet of the Missoula Symphony, he has also performed with the Detroit Symphony, Bozeman Symphony, Lansing Symphony, West Michigan Symphony, Brevard Music Center Orchestra, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Symphony. Dr. Kirkpatrick has been an adjudicator for the International Clarinet Association’s Young Artist Competition and Research Competition, the Music Teachers National Association, the Silverstein Clarinet Contest, and throughout the US.

Dr. Kirkpatrick has been a guest artist and lecturer at numerous conferences, including the International Clarinet Association’s Clarinetfest®, International Duo Symposium, North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, International Double Reed Society Conference, River City Winter Clarinet Festival, College Music Society Conference, the Brandon University Clarinet Festival, World Bass Clarinet Congress, and the Montana/Idaho Clarinet Festival. During the summers he is on the faculty of the International Music Camp in Manitoba, Canada.

As a member of Duo Nyans, he is dedicated to commissioning and premiering new works and performing the standard repertoire for clarinet and saxophone. The duo has been invited to perform at numerous conferences and universities and recently toured throughout Sweden and Taiwan. Their first album, Debut, was released in 2018. The album includes seven compositions for various combinations of sax and clarinet, with works primarily by living American composers, including the premiere recording of four works. An avid enthusiast of new music, commissions include works by Margaret Brouwer, James Stephenson, Emilie LeBel, Christopher Stark, Bryan Curt Kostors, Simon Hutchinson, Evan Chambers, James David and David Biedenbender.

Christopher Kirkpatrick is currently pursuing certification in Alexander Technique and earned his Doctorate in Clarinet Performance from Michigan State University, a Master of Music from the University of New Mexico and his Bachelor of Music from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. His teachers have included Elsa Ludewig- Verdehr, Keith Lemmons, Steve Cohen, Ted Gurch, Nikolasa Tejero and Peter Temko.

Dr. Kirkpatrick also serves as the Montana state chair of the International Clarinet Association. For more information, please visit christopherkirkpatrickclarinet.com.

Dr. Kirkpatrick also serves as the Montana state chair of the International Clarinet Association. He is a Buffet Crampon and Silverstein Pro Team Artist.