Christopher Foster

Christopher Foster is the Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Alfred University. He directs the University’s Symphonic Band and Jazz Band, and teaches music theory, jazz history and lessons on brass instruments. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Education, New York State School Music Association, New York State Band Directors Association, College Band Directors National Association, and the International Trumpet Guild. Dr. Foster is an experienced musician, teacher, adjudicator and reviewer. He is formal principal trumpet with the Southern Tier Symphony and the Wellsville Performing Arts Orchestra. Most recently, Dr. Foster has performed with the Southern Tier Brass Quintet and the Alle - Brasse Brass Quintet, which he co - founded. He is also active as a soloist and freelance musician. In Texas, Dr. Foster has performed with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, and Baroque Trumpet Ensemble and as a freelance musician. In Nevada, he has performed with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Nevada Opera, Reno Jazz Orchestra, the Gordy Brown Show at Harrah’s Casino, and as principal trumpet and soloist for the Ruby Mountain Symphony.

He is currently the Conductor of the Alfred Village Band, which is a summer community band with members of all ages. He has been a guest conductor for several all - county and area all - state bands, and for the Lake Tahoe Music Camp. Dr. Foster has been an adjudicator for various NYSSMA solo festivals and for concert bands in the Northern Nevada area. Prior to his doctoral studies and his appointment at Alfred University, he directed concert, jazz and marching bands in Ely and Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Foster continues to be active as a recording reviewer for the International Trumpet Guild.

Dr. Foster holds Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Trumpet Performance and Wind Conducting from the University of North Texas. He has studied trumpet with Larry Engstrom and conducting from A G. McGrannahan in Reno. During his studies at UNT, he studied trumpet with Keith Johnson and John Holt, and conducting with Eugene Corporon and Dennis Fisher. Dr. Foster can be heard on the GIA Publication series Teaching Music through Performance in Band, and on the Klavier label, performing with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony.