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Time:

Friday
December, 19, 2014
08:30 AM - 09:15 AM

Location:

Ballroom W196

Clinician(s)

Christopher Bill

Christopher Bill

[email protected]

Trombone and Technology: The New Wave of Accessibility A Clinic-Performance with Christopher Bill

Clinic Synopsis:

Chris’ clinic will showcase the ways he’s found to combine the newest technology with live performance. With today's music so dependent on synthesized sounds and computer-generated effects, Chris is working to show how those playing traditional musical instruments aren’t irrelevant or obsolete in the pop music world. In fact, just the opposite. “What we do is make monotonous dance music turn into great music, and the world needs us. I will show the technical side of traditional instrumental performance as well as debut some never-before-seen techniques combining live performance with technology.” Chris’ clinic performance will be interactive and will leave attendees thinking of the possibilities for their students.

Christopher Bill - Biographical Information

Chris Bill is an up-and-coming musician based outside of New York City. He has been playing piano since he was 6 years old, trombone since he was 10, and he has been composing/arranging since he was 12. He studied classical trombone performance at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in New York. While at the conservatory he studied with critically acclaimed trombonists Weston Sprott (Metropolitan Opera), Denson Paul-Pollard (Metropolitan Opera), John Fedchock (Grammy Nominated Jazz Trombonist), and the incomparable Timothy Albright. Chris is best known for his all-trombone arrangements of popular songs. His YouTube Channel has been gaining popularity since the summer of 2012 when he posted his version of Owl City's "Fireflies" for six trombones. More recently a cover of Pharrell Williams' "Happy," where Chris uses a looping station to compose the song on the spot, went viral in the spring of 2014 receiving well over 1.1 million views. His videos have since amassed over 4 million views and a following of over 40,000 subscribers. In April 2014, Chris independently released his first cover album, “Breakthrough.” Since graduating from the Purchase Conservatory, Chris enjoys a busy schedule of performances, clinics, and master classes. He is a well-known face at festivals such as the Eastern Trombone Workshop and the International Trombone Festival.

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