Chris Ozley is a composer, arranger, percussionist, and music educator who writes music across a broad spectrum of instrumentation & media, from chamber orchestras to interactive electronic controllers. He received his Doctorate in Music Composition from the University of Texas at Austin in 2018, culminating with his dissertation piece The Ninth Wave, and currently continues to develop his craft in Austin, TX, whilst actively contributing to the growing new music community.

Chris has always been fascinated with form, specifically ways to stretch and distort perception. He is drawn toward non-linear narrative and interruption, and strives to create compelling drama through each of his works. Guided by his mentors - Russell Pinkston, Dan Welcher, Yevgeniy Sharlat, Bruce Pennycook, Donald Grantham, and Mike D’Ambrosio - Chris has developed a unique voice as a composer which synthesizes non-linear narrative art music with his early experiences as a rock and roll and drum corps percussionist, while also utilizing technology to augment sonic possibilities.

As a composer and arranger, he has worked alongside the likes of Harvey Pittel, Rick Masters, Adam Groh, Chris Lizak, Andrew Harrison, the Austin Saxophone Ensemble, sitarist Ustad Nafees Ahmed, and the Kraken Quartet. He has composed over sixteen full-length works, and received seven acknowledgements and awards from prestigious institutions, including Society of Composers, Inc. In the spring of 2018, Chris was recognized as a Finalist for the ASCAP/SEAMUS Student Commission for his work Ouroboros. He was also named a Finalist for the 2013 ASCAP Morton Gould Award for his wind ensemble piece Detour. Additionally, his pedagogical works for band are published through FJH Music Company, and he also has nearly two decades of experience arranging for marching band winds and percussion.

As a percussionist and performer, Chris has played with numerous artists and ensembles: “Sangat”, the University of Texas Saxophone Ensemble, “Cmd+Q” laptop trio, the Jacksonville State University Chamber Winds, the JSU Marching Southerners, the JSU Indoor Drumline, and Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps. He studied percussion with teachers Clint Gillespie and Tracy Tyler. Additionally, as a graduate research assistant at the University of Texas, Chris travelled twice to Pakistan to perform as the drummer with international ensemble “Sangat”. The ensemble performed shows in Karachi on the southern coast, as well as in Islamabad in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Chris is currently a Lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Design and Creative Technology, teaching courses in audio processing, digital musicianship, virtual instruments, and interactive music. Chris has also taught classes in beginner composition, aural skills, and assisted with a Max/MSP course. He received both his master’s and doctoral composition degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2008 Chris received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Jacksonville State University, after which he served as a band director before coming to Texas. Chris has had the good fortune to work with several stunning band programs in Texas including the ensembles of Canyon Ridge Middle School and Four Points Middle School—both of whom have performed at the Midwest Clinic in 2014 and 2015, respectively. He has taught numerous percussion ensembles and marching organizations across the nation including Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps (with whom he was a performing member for four summers) and The Colts from Dubuque, Iowa. He continues to actively teach marching band percussion during the summer to stay connected with the activity.

Chris is currently training for a marathon, devising plans to hike the Appalachian Trail, and is ever-dedicated to developing his musical craft. He enthusiastically accepts opportunities to compose commissioned works, contribute to, curate, and produce concerts, as well as cultivate learning experiences for the upcoming generation of composers. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any endeavors that might align!