Christopher Alan Schmitz (b. 1972) is Professor of Theory and Composition at the Townsend School of Music, Mercer University. His solo, chamber, and ensemble works are performed internationally and recorded on Navona Records and Beauport Classical. Scores are published and distributed by C. Alan Publications, Cimarron Press, Opus Music Publishers, and Cherry Classics. Recent awards and honors have come from the Alabama Orchestra Association (winner), Sammy Nestico Award (winner), Ithaca College International Jazz Competition (runner-up, professional composer division), Music Teachers’ National Association (two commissions), and The American Prize (2022 runner-up, professional wind ensemble composer division; 2021 finalist, professional orchestra composer division). Schmitz holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Texas at Austin.

Albums

Ace Composers II

Release Date: January 13, 2023
Catalog Number: RR8083
21st Century
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
Piano
Saxophone
While it isn't entirely unusual for musicians to raise musical children, it is fairly rare for a composer to have not one, but two sons who also compose. This is the case for composition professor Alan Schmitz, who, together with his sons Christopher and Eric, presents of ACE COMPOSERS II, a curated selection of contemporary chamber music which proves that the apple sometimes does fall further from the tree, at least in some regards. It would be impossible to mistake either one's works for that of any of the others: too distinct are the individual idiosyncrasies – the swooping, late-Romantic phrases, the sober, experimental minimalism, and the jazzy groove. Nevertheless, they are all united by one commonality – aesthetic appeal seems to run in the family.